About Us

Volunteers play a huge role in helping us reach our annual $7 million fundraising goal. As well as community fundraising, like our Onesie Appeal, we host an annual golf day to raise vital funds to support our work and to help keep the ‘free’ in Wellington Free.  Meet Pete Fraser who, alongside a busy day job as the Commercial Business Manager at Z Energy, volunteers on our Golf Day Committee.

I’ve been on the Golf Day Committee since…

It was originally set up! That was last year (2022). Although Wellington Free had run a Golf Day before, it was about eight years ago so 2022 marked our first efforts at making it an annual fundraiser.

How I became a member of the Golf Day Committee was…

Wellington Free was one of my accounts through my day job at Z Energy which is where I met Claire [Carruthers, our General Manager Fundraising and Communications]. I was keen to do things together and form a true partnership. I’d played in the Golf Day eight years ago and thought it was a good way of raising money, so we formed a committee to help organise the day going forward.

The committee now includes myself, Dominic [Barrington Prowse, our Fundraising Advisor] with additional support from members including my close friend, John Morgan who’s well-known in the community for his fundraising and event organisation.

I decided to become a member of the Golf Day Committee because…

I’m passionate about Wellington Free Ambulance! Having taken part in the original Golf Day, it was a sensational day with a lot of money raised. I was keen to be involved in its continuing success and to help Wellington Free raise a good amount of money. Most people want to get involved with the Golf Day; they recognise that Wellington Free is a much-needed service in the community.

On a personal level, my granddaughter has needed an ambulance twice after she couldn’t breathe. My daughter raved about how great Wellington Free was during a really stressful situation. They turned up, took control, calmed everyone down and got the situation under control.

There’s such a need for Wellington Free and I think it’s on all of us to take some responsibility and put our hand up to help – and hope to make a difference.

The best bit about being a member of the Golf Day Committee is…

Working with partners like Dom, Claire and Steph at Western Mailing. I really enjoy getting together, talking about successes and weaknesses, and putting together a plan to make a better experience for everyone who takes part in Golf Day, whether they’re players or sponsors. It’s about delivering a great ‘Wellington Free’ experience for everyone involved and helping them understand that they can contribute and make a difference in the community.

When I’m not volunteering for Wellington Free, I…

Have a holiday home in Waitārere where I love to spend time! Family time is really important to me, so I prioritise that, plus relaxing with friends. I also referee rugby in Wellington.

Once every four months, I volunteer with the Lower Hutt food bank, driving around supermarkets to pick up food and transport it to the food bank to ensure access to good quality food and to help the local community provide for their families.