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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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A lasting memorial to Sam and Angus
A lasting memorial to Sam and Angus
22 July 2024
A lasting memorial to Sam and Angus
Ten years ago (2014) two Wairarapa lads (two of three brothers), Sam (19) and Angus (15) Donald, died in a tragic vehicle accident on their way to go fishing on the coast. Fishing was something they'd enjoyed many times before, but on this occasion for reasons unknown, their vehicle left the road and they sadly died in the crash.
Members of the local Fire Brigade and Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics attended and, as in many rural communities, were part of the initial support to the grieving family. This kindness and the excellent care have stuck with the Donald family and when they saw the appeal to help Build Wairarapa Station they knew this would be fitting tribute to their boys.
A memorial fund was established in memory of Sam and Angus, with family, friends and the wider community all contributing. Tracie and David Donald wish to pledge $20,000 from this fund as a sign of their gratitude to emergency personnel to help establish the new Wellington Free Ambulance Station in Masterton.
Sam and Angus’s father David knows the boys would whole-heartedly support this donation.
“They were very community minded and understood the importance of the community rallying and supporting initiatives that benefited everyone, which the ambulance service does”, David explains.
As well as the donation in memory of the boys, the wider Donald family has also made an additional significant donation from their family trust. The trust was established following the sale of the family farm. The family has farmed in the South Wairarapa since around 1850. This family trust has previously supported many community clubs and services – the Martinborough Golf Club, Wairarapa Clay Target Club, and Life Flight Rescue helicopter as examples.
Kowhai Trust family spokesperson David comments “the Wairarapa Ambulance Station has bought a positive vibe to the community, it’s a wonderful asset for the district and the local staff.”
David encourages others to support the Station for the good of all the Wairarapa: “Emergency response is vital to any rural community and all in the region will benefit from this new innovative facility.”
The Wairarapa Station build is well underway at the corner of Russell and Queen Street in Masterton, with an open date expected of March 2025. Fundraising for the project has exceeded $7.8 million with around $650,000 still needed in donations to fully equip and resource the Station.
Anyone wanting to donate or find out more about the build can visit www.buildwairarapastation.org.nz.