For Old Boy Richard Blundell (6996), charity begins at home.

He attributes his “awareness of charity work by osmosis” to his parents, Denis and June.

His first experience of helping others came as a very young boy, “working alongside Mum at Birthright jumble sales in Newtown, Wellington”. Meanwhile, his father was Chairman of Birthright – a charity supporting many families facing hardship and isolation.

His father also instilled a strong work ethic in Richard through his legal work and wide-ranging service roles.

Today, Richard is Patron of the Hato Hone St John Northern Region, assuming the mantle once carried by his father and then his mother. St John is integral to Richard’s “lifetime journey” as a charity volunteer, along with his past commitments to the Blood Foundation (now Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand), the Heart Foundation, the Marsden Cross Trust Board (responsible for acquiring an historically important site in the Bay of Islands), and Business Mentors New Zealand.

He cites the importance of “returning” – or giving back – to benefit the wider community by becoming a charity volunteer following his years of “learning and earning”.

He also values the opportunity to support important projects, including raising funds for the first stage of the final rebuild of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, and St Paul’s in the Park Anglican Church and Community Centre in Flatbush, Auckland. He was inspired to be part of the latter project by a fellow College boarder – and now Priest in Charge at St Paul’s in the Park – Warner Wilder (7118).

A member of Richards House from 1960–1964, Richard says that “St John was a natural choice as my father had been Prior and Northern Patron and Mum followed Dad” in the Patron role.

In his position, Richard attends many events, building and enhancing relationships within the charity and with the wider community while also raising the profile of St John and highlighting the outstanding work of staff and volunteers.

“Meeting people has been a cornerstone of my St John activity,” he reflects. “It is a privilege to have St John members share their experiences with me, and to meet ordinary people who do extraordinary things. It’s humbling to discuss tragic accidents with ambulance officers or to chat with the ‘Caring Callers’ who ring the same lonely person each week.

“St John is a charity, so meeting those people who have donated an ambulance to ensure that we can continue to have a world-class ambulance service is an experience in its own right.

“Nothing is more rewarding than being part of this focused and well-respected organisation.”

During his time as the Northern Region Chair of St John, Richard also visited the 34 area committees twice a year and attended district meetings, along with meeting op shop volunteers and working with youth groups.

“Perhaps a full family circle has been completed as I am a Knight of Justice (KStJ) in the Order of St John,” he says. “To be a Knight of Justice you need a registered crest. Unbeknown to me, my colleagues used Dad’s crest to support my promotion to Knight of Justice. I’m also proud to wear his mantle at formal events.”

Sir Denis Blundell was the 12th Governor-General of New Zealand. His Coat of Arms – featuring the crest of laurel leaves and an acorn – also bears the motto ‘To Serve With Tolerance’.

Richard also credits businessman Maurice Paykel and his son, Gary, for “introducing me to the Blood Foundation and Business Mentors” during his career with Fisher & Paykel (F&P).

“I was given early exposure to volunteering, starting in governance roles while I was still with F&P,” he says.

After enjoying five years as a College boarder and “making many lifelong friends”, Richard had started his career with the New Zealand Shipping Company, working in the City of London and on the London Docks.

“It was a special experience working alongside and achieving the respect of hardened East Enders on the docks,” he recalls.

However, another career “opportunity struck when Fisher & Paykel co-founder Sir Woolf Fisher arranged an internship with Hoover Worldwide, and I started in August 1969”.

It proved to be an excellent learning experience as Richard was introduced to all disciplines in a multi-national company throughout the UK, France, Germany, and South Africa.

He returned to New Zealand in February 1971 to join F&P as a Sales Manager, staying with the company for more than 30 years in largely marketing roles.

During that time, he built relationships with F&P staff (and still meets for regular lunches with former colleagues), dealers, associated companies, and fund managers around the world. He was also responsible for product launches, including the innovative SmartDrive washing machine, and shareholder relations. Among the other highlights, Richard managed the Fisher & Paykel ketch skippered by Grant Dalton in the famous1989/90 Whitbread Race.

However, it is his roles as a volunteer for charities that do so much for so many that still bring the greatest rewards.