When medical emergencies happen, most of us only think about one thing:
Will help arrive in time?

We think about the ambulance.
The flashing lights.
The calm voice reassuring someone in the middle of the worst moment of their life.

But what we often don’t think about is what happens between emergency callouts.

Where do frontline crews go after responding to traumatic emergencies?
Where do they restock vital supplies, reset emotionally, or prepare for the next urgent call?

That’s the focus of the 2026 Hato Hone St John Annual Appeal — Light the Way — which aims to help repair and rebuild 10 ambulance stations across New Zealand.

And after hearing Faye’s story, it’s easy to understand why this matters so much.

“Everything went black…”

Faye had just landed back in New Zealand after spending three months working as a nurse in Australia. She collected her bags, met her son in the carpark, and headed off to a family dinner.

But something didn’t feel right.

As they drove, Faye realised something was seriously wrong and asked her son to call an ambulance.

Moments later, she found herself in the back of a Hato Hone St John ambulance experiencing what she describes as the most terrifying moment of her life.

“Everything went black and I thought, is this it, am I going to die in the back of an ambulance?”

Thankfully, Critical Care Paramedic Tam was by Faye’s side throughout the emergency.

Calm and reassuring, Tam explained what was happening, provided treatment for Faye’s heart attack, and stayed by her side throughout the ambulance journey to hospital.

Three simple words stayed with her:

“I am here.”

Those words gave Faye hope during one of the darkest moments of her life.

Today, she’s celebrating milestones she once feared she may never see — including becoming a great-grandmother.

The Reality for Frontline Crews

For Paramedics like Tam, emergencies like Faye’s are not rare.

After more than 30 years on the frontline, Tam estimates she has attended around five heart attacks every week throughout her career.

That means constantly carrying emotional pressure, making critical decisions quickly, and supporting people through life-changing moments.

And after each call-out, crews return to their ambulance stations.

These stations are more than buildings. They are places where crews:

• restock lifesaving equipment,
• complete reports,
• debrief after difficult incidents,
• grab a bite to eat,
• reconnect with teammates,
• and mentally prepare for the next emergency.

But many stations across New Zealand are outdated, overcrowded, or no longer fit for the growing demands placed on frontline services.

That’s why Hato Hone St John is working to raise $4.5 million this year to help upgrade and future-proof 10 ambulance stations around the country.

The goal is simple: to give frontline crews the facilities they need to be ready to respond whenever communities need them most.

Why This Matters to All of Us

Medical emergencies don’t come with warnings.

They can happen:

• at home,
• while travelling,
• during holidays,
• or in everyday moments that suddenly become life-changing.

When they do, we rely on highly trained people like Tam to arrive calm, prepared, and ready to help.

Supporting ambulance stations may not sound as visible as funding ambulances themselves — but these spaces directly impact the wellbeing, preparedness, and resilience of frontline crews.

Quiet rest areas, private debriefing rooms, suitable storage spaces, and functional work environments all help crews operate at their best.

And when crews are supported properly, communities benefit too.

Supporting the Light the Way Appeal

Throughout June, Makana Confections is proud to support the Hato Hone St John Light the Way Annual Appeal.

For every box sold of our Limited-Edition Dark Chocolate Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch, we’ll donate $3 to help support frontline ambulance crews and the future of ambulance stations across New Zealand.

The limited-edition box is available throughout June for a special campaign price of $26.90, with donations helping Hato Hone St John continue their vital work in communities nationwide.

Because behind every emergency response is a team of people who show up every day for others.

And behind those people should be a place that supports them too.

How You Can Help

By supporting the campaign, sharing the message, or simply learning more about the appeal, you’re helping shine a light on the incredible work frontline crews do every day.

To learn more about the Hato Hone St John Light the Way Annual Appeal or make a donation directly, visit the official campaign page.

And if you’d like to support through Makana’s June campaign, you can shop our Limited-Edition Dark Chocolate Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch online or in-store throughout the month.

Together, we can help ensure frontline crews have the support they need to continue being there for communities across New Zealand ?