About Us

Alesha has been a paramedic with Wellington Free for the past 10 years, a fact he is incredibly proud of.

“Her mother and I weren’t surprised when she decided to train as a paramedic.  She is such a people person who likes to help, she has a really caring side.”

Dressing up in a Onesie and having a dance alongside fellow Aotea residents - Noni and Anita - didn’t faze Doug in the slightest.

“I really enjoyed the experience.  It’s important to give back to our community, this is our only ambulance service, we need to get in behind it to keep it free.  We rely on them and need to make sure they are there when we need them.”

Summerset and our Onesie Appeal

Summerset is the Principal Partner of the Wellington Free Ambulance Onesie Appeal.  This year, Summerset is donating $50,000 towards the largest fundraiser we hold in September, which aims to raise over $200,000 to keep our service free of charge.  This is the third year Summerset has been involved – but the first-time residents have volunteered to be Onesie models!

“I think it’s a wonderful way for the residents of Summerset to unite – it’s a bonding experience across the villages", explains Doug when thinking about the support from Summerset across the region.

Volunteering is a family value of the Hazelwood’s.  Doug spent 10 years as a budget advisor at Salvation Army, and has been on school committees and other clubs, Alesha followed in his footsteps as a volunteer firefighter and during her paramedicine degree at Whitirea volunteered to help in the lab.

Like her father, Alesha is community minded, describing her role as a paramedic as a way of making a difference supporting people in a time of crisis. 

“I love the variety of the work and the people.  It’s a privilege to be able to go into their private homes and be parts of private and often really tough moments,” describes Alesha.

“Sometimes it’s tough, it’s emotional, times of crisis are hard on everyone.  But you are there with a clinical job to do.  You take time out afterwards to debrief and acknowledge the tough bits and reflect.” 

Family support from Doug and her brothers and sister is hugely important to Alesha

“They have always been there for me – checking in when they know I’ve had a tough day.  We also plan family occasions around my shift work.  Last year we had Christmas on Boxing Day, and we often have birthday celebrations on random dates to ensure I am able to be there.”

Alesha wasn’t at all surprised when she heard Doug had put himself forward for Onesie duty.

“He’s such an active community man, and I’ve always known how proud he is of me and my work for Wellington Free, now I get to be proud of him as a volunteer for Wellington Free!”

Right now, Wellington Free Ambulance is building up to this year’s Onesie Appeal (4 - 10 September) - you can find out more at www.onesieday.co.nz

A huge thanks to everyone at Summerset from everyone at Wellington Free Ambulance for once again being the Principal Partner of Onesie Day.   You are all One-derful!