St John announced as official charity

New Zealand Cricket has announced St John as the official charity of the BLACKCAPS for a two-year period.

NZC CEO Justin Vaughan and St John Chief Executive Jaimes Wood made the announcement at a launch of the partnership in Auckland today.

“NZC and the BLACKCAPS support the important work St John members do, saving lives and improving the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. We will work with St John to raise the profile of the vital work they carry out for the community and to help raise funds for that work,” Vaughan said.

Wood added: “Both St John and the BLACKCAPS have their roots firmly in New Zealand and both highly value the support they receive from the public.

“St John and the BLACKCAPS serve the community in quite different but important ways. We are joining forces to maximise the benefits that - together - we can bring the people of New Zealand.

“St John and BLACKCAPS players will together promote community participation and the importance of healthy lifestyles – including awareness of injury prevention and first aid.”

St John has a strong and historical connection with the sporting public of New Zealand, providing first aid and emergency care services on the sidelines of local and national sporting events for many years.

Under the partnership, the BLACKCAPS will encourage members of the public to support St John’s vital emergency ambulance, first aid training and community work. St John is a charitable organisation that relies on public fundraising to provide its full range of services to New Zealand communities – including donations to help run the ambulance services.

NZC will help St John raise funds at matches through text message campaigns and will provide players and memorabilia to assist with St John fundraising and public awareness campaigns.