About us

As Wellington Free Ambulance’s Bequest Manager, Amber laughs that “no two days are the same” in her busy role. Amber sums up her job as “working with our loyal supporters who are considering leaving a legacy gift”. This involves “working through their plans, keeping in touch, ensuring they’ve got all the information they need and crucially, showing the transformational impact their gift makes. Every gift left in a Will means their support continues, and ensures future generations have access to our free service”.  Amber also spends her time reporting and doing estate management, which involves working with solicitors to ensure supporters’ wishes are honoured.

But most importantly to Amber, it involves “acknowledging and thanking our incredible supporters and building really meaningful connections. I spend a lot of time on the phone and popping out to visit them”. 

The road to gifts in Wills

With a BA in Art History and Classics, Amber has a varied work experience, including time spent in the UK for a retail interior design company, an events and marketing role at the City Gallery when she returned to Wellington, and a marketing role at New Zealand’s largest provider of Wills and estate administration services.

But it was when she “had some babies” (Amber now has three teenagers) that Amber really leaned into volunteering, including being involved with her local Playcentre and Kindergarten Parent Committees and supporting Whānau Āwhina  Plunket  fundraising efforts. When Amber decided to return to paid employment, she considered what she really wanted to do with her time – she was looking for “fulfilling” work.

This led Amber to her work in the charitable sector, where she’s spent time with Mary Potter Hospice and the SPCA. Amber recalls sharing a desk with the Bequest Manager at Mary Potter Hospice and having a lightbulb “this is me” moment as she experienced the one-to-one connection with supporters that gifts in Wills bring. 

Reflecting on her career to date, Amber sees a common thread – she’s “passionate about the causes. Everywhere I’ve worked in the charitable sector has been very close to my heart and it’s been a privilege to work there”.

Amber acknowledges that “Wellington Free is held very dear to my heart, and in the hearts of the Wellington and Wairarapa communities. When I talk to people about leaving gifts in their Wills, it’s like I’m hearing their life story. People choose to support organisations that have touched their lives and they have a personal connection to. The organisations I’ve worked for have all helped me in different ways and I’ve continued that passion in my work for Wellington Free”.

The best bits

For Amber, the highlight of her job is “working with good people who support us, including a one-to-one approach” that allows her to “know our supporters on a personal level”. She’s keen for everyone to understand that “all gifts, no matter the size, make a real impact.  They help to ensure that your friends, family and neighbours for generations to come will continue to have access to a free ambulance service”.

As Amber explains, “I’m a Wellingtonian and I really care about our community and making sure Wellington really is the best little capital city in the world! Wellington Free is such an iconic and loved organisation and choosing to leave a gift in your Will is like leaving something for the whole of the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region.”

If you’d like to learn more about how you can help save and change lives for generations to come or if you’d like to talk to Amber, visit this page.