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Auckland, April 6, 2018
ASB donated a life-saving AED to the Papatoetoe Community Patrol on behalf of Papatoetoe local and cardiac arrest survivor Colin Feisst as part of the bank’s month-long St John Annual Appeal fundraising efforts today.
Colin (80) was preparing to walk in the Auckland Pride Parade along Ponsonby Road on Saturday, February 17, when he was suddenly taken ill by cardiac arrest. A quick-thinking bystander retrieved a defibrillator (AED) from ASB’s Ponsonby branch then quickly administered CPR and shocks from the AED.
St John was called and soon arrived to continue to treat Colin while he was transported to hospital.
Community Hero
Colin is a local hero: He has volunteered with the Papatoetoe Community Patrol (CPNZ) for six years participating in regular patrols, assisting at Safer Plate Events and helping at Police pop-up stations.
He is also a member of the Papatoetoe Patrols Committee and a Trustee on the local Manukau District Crime Watch Patrols Trust as the Papatoetoe Patrols representative.
For several years, he has voluntarily monitored the CCTV cameras at the local Manukau Police Station for almost 40 hours each month.
Colin said that he is delighted ASB has donated the AED to his local community patrol and has many people to thank.
“I have no doubt the quick assistance of the Police, the bystander retrieving the ASB AED, and the St John treatment saved my life. I am planning to take the time to thank all of those involved in my survival, and I’m looking forward to celebrating my ‘first birthday’ in February next year!” he said.
A decade of support
ASB head of community, sponsorship and events Mark Graham said that this year ASB is celebrating 10 years of support for St John and is pleased to donate the AED to the Papatoetoe Community Patrol on behalf of survivor Colin.
“Each ASB branch is equipped with an AED and we are delighted that our Ponsonby branch’s AED helped save Colin’s life. It is our pleasure to donate to Colin’s local community patrol on his behalf,” he said.
St John Annual Appeal
ASB is proud to support St John’s Annual Appeal month throughout April. This year’s St John Annual Appeal fundraising campaign is focused around ‘Heart of Gold’, and ASB fundraising efforts will go towards buying a new ambulance for New Zealand roads.
Ways to donate
To help with collections on street appeal day, ASB has created contactless payment hearts of gold, to make it easy to donate even if you don’t have cash. Supporters can tap the gold heart using their contactless debit/credit card to make an instant $3 donation to St John.
Donations can be made online here or through St John collectors throughout New Zealand during Annual Appeal week (April 2 to 8, 2018).
Donations for the St John Annual Appeal can be made at any ASB branch.
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Photo Caption:
Colin Feisst with (from left) Clint Robinson, ASB branch manager Shane Higgan and Leisha Cheong
(Picture Supplied)
