As St John ambulance struggles with financial issues many say the organisation is needed now more than ever, particularly in rural areas.
Last month the organisation announced it was facing a large deficit for the coming year and would be cutting 100 jobs.
But Dave McKenzie, president of the Hurunui Rugby Football Club in Canterbury, says the organisation is a vital part of the community sports scene.
In a recent incident, St John staff helped a player who suffered a hip injury during a game, he says.
"We all sort of rushed out there as you do when there's a guy in strife like that and thankfully once we got there and realised the seriousness of it we were pretty pleased to see St John [staff] come over and assist," McKenzie told Rural Exchange.
"It was great to have them there...they're the backbone of all community sport, those types of people."
Listen to the full interview.
This article was created for Bayleys Real Estate, as a sponsor of the Pulse of the Country on Rural Exchange.
Rural Exchange with Hamish McKay and Richard Loe, 6-8am Saturday and Sunday on Magic Talk.
