Ambulance service a onesie-of-a-kind
Never has there been such a good reason to climb into that animal suit and head to the office.
Schools and businesses will be a sea of colour as people put on their onesies as part of Wellington Free Ambulance’s annual fundraising appeal on September 8.
Collectors will be on the streets all around Wellington, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Kapiti and the Wairarapa.
‘‘Every dollar makes a huge difference,’’ head of fundraising and communications Diane Livingston said.
‘‘Our community are the ones keeping us here, and keeping us free for anyone needing our help.’’
Every year, Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics help around 50,000 people from around the region.
They attend 140 emergencies a day.
‘‘That’s one in 10 of our friends and family every year,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s hard to imagine where we’d be without them.’’
Wellington Free Ambulance is the only emergency ambulance service in Greater Wellington and Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who provide their care for free.
‘‘It’s a privilege to do this work, but we couldn’t do it with- out the generosity of the people who support us,’’ she said.
The charity is only part funded by government, and that means having to find $4 million every year through community fundraising.
Donations go towards new ambulances, life-saving equipment, advanced clinical training and research, and more.
Last year they trained 2000 people in CPR.
Give to the street collection, donate at wfa.org.nz/donate, or text ONES to 4847 to donate $3.