About Us

Three years ago, after organising the PwC Foundation Charity Relay, and raising over $95,000 for four charities including Wellington Free Ambulance, Jude enquired about joining the Wellington Free Team as a volunteer event medic and has never looked back.

“I’d always been interested in becoming a paramedic, but as my career advanced in marketing and communications I felt I had left it too late to begin studying for a different career. After the 2015 PwC Foundation Charity Relay and meeting the fantastic team of event medics on the day I thought I could give it go and join them!” says Jude.

Juggling work, children and volunteering can be difficult but Jude says thanks to an understanding employer and supportive husband she manages to do it all.

“I’m extremely lucky to work for an organisation who encourages and supports their staff to get involved with volunteering and give back to their communities. For weekday events PwC allows staff to utilise volunteering leave to help balance work and personal life. For those events on the weekends…a supportive husband certainly helps!” says Jude.

Jude acknowledges that with everyone leading such busy lives, it can become increasingly difficult to find time to ‘do something good for the community’. Whilst it isn’t always easy to fit everything in, Jude highlights the importance of doing your bit and helping out where you can. “It’s an amazing feeling to be out there amongst our community volunteering for an organisation that does so much for Wellington. Being that person to help someone in their time of need is a very rewarding experience” she says.

When asked about her happiest moment volunteering as an event medic Jude says it’s the thanks and acknowledgement she regularly receives from the community in regard to the amazing service Wellington Free provides. “It’s important to me as I can show my children what a rewarding experience it is to volunteer for a great organisation and it’s something you can be proud of!” Jude says.

Wellington Free has 80 qualified volunteers completing around 1000 hours per month. They offer medical cover at community events, volunteer on the frontline in the emergency ambulance service, act as community first responders in more rural areas and offer training with the Heartbeat programme. To volunteer with Wellington Free it takes extraordinary effort; commitment, tenacity and resilience. If you’re interested in joining Jude and the volunteer team visit our volunteer page or email [email protected] for more information.