About Us
We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
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Onesie-ful support from Summerset Retirement Villages
Onesie-ful support from Summerset Retirement Villages
31 August 2021
A BIG onesie-ful thank you to Summerset Retirement Villages, our Principal Partner for the very first Onesie Day Emergency Ambulance.
The partnership between Wellington Free Ambulance and Summerset Retirement Villages keeps growing, with their support going to another level in 2021.
Summerset Retirement Villages’ support over the years has been greatly appreciated, with it having donated $10,000 every year for the past four years, as well as residents’ committees at its Wellington villages supporting the ambulance service through morning teas and other events – including the Onesie Day Shuffle in 2016.
Onesie Day is Wellington Free Ambulance’s largest community fund-raising event of the year. It helps to keep the emergency ambulance service free to everyone who needs it in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa. For the second year running, Wellington Free Ambulance has had to cancel its annual Onesie Day Street Collection due to COVID-19 and it now faces a shortfall of over $100,000.
However, all is not lost. Wellington Free Ambulance has moved its Onesie Day appeal completely online and needs your help to raise $250,000 for the very first Onesie Day emergency ambulance! A special ambulance fund raised by the community for the community.
Once our Principal Partner, Summerset Retirement Villages, heard we had to cancel our annual Onesie Day street collection it doubled its support and has donated an incredible $40,000 to kick start our Onesie Day emergency ambulance campaign. We're absolutely blown away by Summerset’s generosity and support.
Summerset Retirement Villages CEO Scott Scoullar says Wellington Free Ambulance is one of those services everyone needs to be available, but hopes they will never need.
"Summerset is super pleased to support them given the amazing work they do to help so many people."
The annual appeal runs from 2-4 September and Director of Fundraising and Communications, Claire Carruthers says it’s all about having fun, celebrating our one-of-a-kind service, and raising funds to ensure we remain here for our community.
“A new ambulance costs over $250,000. Though this might seem like a lot, together with the support of Summerset Retirement Villages and the rest of our amazing Wellington community, we know we will be able to see this happen,” Claire says.
Wellington Free Ambulance is the only emergency ambulance service in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa and the only ones in the country who are free. It covers all of Wellington, Kāpiti, Porirua, the Hutt Valley, and the Wairarapa.
“Over 90 years ago, Sir Charles Norwood, the then-mayor of Wellington, started Wellington Free Ambulance with a commitment that emergencies need not cost people their lives, or their money. It’s this vision that drives us today.
“The support from Summerset Retirement Villages will mean Wellington Free Ambulance can continue to respond to thousands of emergencies every year; whether it is over the phone or in-person, we’re here with you,” Claire says.