The Star: September 28, 2023

The Star Thursday September 28 2023
10
NEWS
Joyriders
caught
in New
Brighton
FOUR TEENAGERS were
arrested after police used road
spikes to stop a stolen vehicle
involved in a pursuit through
the eastern suburbs in the early
hours of Monday morning.
A police spokesperson said
officers spotted the stolen vehicle
at about 1.30am in Avonhead
and signalled the driver to pull
over but they failed to stop.
A resident in New Brighton
captured the police pursuit
on CCTV, Chris Lynch Media
reported.
The police spokesperson
said the car came to a stop on
Marine Pde, New Brighton, at
about 2am after the road spikes
were used.
The spokesperson said two
15-year-olds were charged
with unlawfully getting into
a motor vehicle, and one
15-year-old faces charges
including unlawfully taking a
motor vehicle, failing to stop
for police, resisting police and
driving a vehicle in a dangerous
manner. Another youth was
referred to Youth Aid.
• By Daniel Alvey
INCREASING FUEL prices are
one of the factors hampering
efforts to deliver Meals on
Wheels across the city.
The Red Cross programme,
which has been running since
the 1950s, calls on volunteers
to deliver hot lunches to
people who have a
disability or
ongoing
health
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Rising fuel costs put bite into
Meals on Wheels drivers
• Watch the video on
Starnews.co.nz
problems that make it difficult to
prepare a meal for themselves.
In the 12 months to the end of
June, Red Cross delivered about
151,000 meals in Christchurch
and Kaiapoi.
Red Cross spokesperson Pip
Mabin said more drivers are
needed. They are down
60 volunteers from
their desired target
of 350 drivers.
“Our numbers did
drop during Covid
and we haven’t quite
caught up yet,” she
said.
“Definitely
fuel prices
(are a
factor) and people not being
aware of the opportunity as
well.”
Drivers have to use their own
car and pay for fuel.
Mabin said they have also seen
an increase in the number of
meals required due to the
cost of living.
More drivers are
urgently needed in
the eastern suburbs
where about
40,000
meals
are
DELIVERING: Meals on Wheels driver Lindsay Sowman drops off a meal to 92-year-old
Frances Myatt, who enjoys getting the visit.
PHOTO: RED CROSS ​
delivered annually.
“In the eastern suburbs, we
have gaps in the rosters on each
day of the week.”
She said the schedules are very
flexible and can suit drivers’
availability.
“Most drivers would give up
one and a half to two hours
either once a week or once a
fortnight, but we are really happy
if drivers want to do it once every
four weeks.”
Meals on Wheels volunteer
Lindsay Sowman said it was a
enjoyable thing to do.
“We also provide a friendly
face and a smile to people who
might otherwise not see anyone
during the course of the day,”
Sowman said.
Frances Myatt, who lives on
her own, said the drivers are
wonderful.
“I’ve got somebody to talk to,”
the 92-year-old said.
Volunteers need to have a New
Zealand driver licence, a reliable
car and be willing to undergo a
police check.
• Prospective volunteer
drivers can call 0800
733 276 or apply online
at www.redcross.org.nz/
volunteer
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