St John are seeking around $2.4 million to buy 12 new ambulances that will be used by frontline paramedics to provide lifesaving care to people who are seriously sick or injured.

The new ambulances are the focus of this year's Annual Appeal campaign, which was launched yesterday.

Through the years the fleet has become more modern and now features the more common Mercedes Benz model. Photos: Facebook.

Every day St John responds to 1200 calls for help, which amounts to almost one call every minute.

Last year they cared for over 425,000 patients and ambulances travelled over 19 million kilometres.

The modern ‘emergency clinics on wheels' are a far cry from the various early ambulance models that were used for transporting patients during the last century – from Ashford Litters (cart stretchers) to the highly recognisable and memorable grey and white 1940s Dodges.

'Emergency health care has developed significantly in the past 120 years,” says St John chief executive Peter Bradley. 'It's an essential and expensive business. It costs over $200,000 to get a modern ambulance on the road.

'This includes the cost of the vehicle itself along with a variety of hi-tech clinical and medical equipment – mobile data terminals, stretchers, a defibrillator, heart rate monitor, specialised extraction equipment – along with ambulance officer training and uniform.”

As part of St John's new look, these ambulances come in high visibility yellow with more reflective signage than older white models.

This is to maximise visibility of the vehicles and improve safety for ambulance officers and the public on the road.

'By making a donation to our Annual Appeal this week, you can help St John to continue providing lifesaving emergency services to our growing and aging population using the most advanced techniques and equipment - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” adds Peter.

St John staff and volunteers will be out with collection buckets throughout the country (6-12 April). Alternatively, you can call: 0800 ST JOHN (0800 785 646), donate online at: www.stjohnappeal.org.nz or at any ASB branch.

St John Ambulances through the ages: The Humber Pullman HX came into service in June 1950.