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Photo credit: Ross Giblin, Stuff

Peter had a long career in data processing and when that ended, he decided to focus on working in his community rather than seeking other employment. Peter had always felt a sense of responsibility to improving his community for everyone’s benefit so he started cleaning up leaves and branches around his local streets and noticed that rubbish was tied up in it.

That’s when Peter decided to make collecting litter part of his weekly routine. He walked for about four hours, several times a week, to collect litter from the streets of Tawa. Starting early in the morning with his gloves and council rubbish bags, he aimed to finish with at least two full bags.

Stepping outside, he’d scan for rubbish and let God decide his direction.

Janet, Peter’s sister, says:

“I believe Peter viewed his acts of community care as a calling: he felt that caring for his local environment was a way he could be of service, and that this was a true expression of his faith. He never complained about whether or why others might be thoughtless enough to discard litter and just focused on how he could improve things.”

“He conducted his daily activities almost as a meditation, I think. He also enjoyed working with his local council as part of the team to clean things up, ensuring his bags were placed carefully at pick-up points for them to do their jobs. In this way, although his activities were usually solitary, he felt himself to be working for the greater good.”

‘Peter was a humble person’

In later years, Peter’s vision was significantly impaired by injury to his retinas. Janet explains:

“It became harder for Peter to carry out his community clean-up, but he pressed on regardless, concentrating on what he could do. I'm sure he was probably unaware that many people no doubt saw his actions and clear sense of purpose as inspirational; perhaps they wondered why he did it - Peter was a humble person.”

As well as being committed to his community, Janet describes Peter as a ‘beautiful writer’. He “practiced his craft by sending long, amazing hand-written letters to family overseas. He'd always include encouragement and humour in his missives!”

Peter had been a regular supporter of Wellington Free, making donations for many years. During his lifetime, he confirmed he had included a gift in his Will and said, “it would be my pleasure to leave a gift to such a worthy organisation”. While sister Janet isn’t sure what inspired Peter to leave a bequest to Wellington Free, she wonders if it was because he lived alone and didn’t drive. “Perhaps Wellington Free Ambulance was there for him at a moment of need, to seek medical care” and that’s why he chose to leave a gift to us in his Will. Or perhaps it was another expression of Peter’s desire to be of service and to do good for people and the environment.

Whatever the reason, Janet is sure “Peter's quiet steady presence is missed by many in his community. Perhaps they wonder why he is no longer seen going about his acts of service and miss him.”

Considering leaving a gift in your Will?

A gift in your Will can help ensure Wellington Free Ambulance is here for future generations, just as it has been for our communities for nearly 100 years.

If you’d like to learn more about leaving a gift in your Will, or if you’re considering including Wellington Free Ambulance in your plans, we’d love to hear from you. Please email giftinwill@wfa.org.nz or visit our dedicated website page to find out more.