Art helps Health

Art helps Health – local art group to raise funds for Wellington Free Ambulance

Wellington art co-operative, ARTrove, is hosting an art fundraiser this month for the region’s only ambulance service, and the only one in the country that’s free.

The exhibition fundraiser, on Thursday November 19 in the Asteron Life Centre foyer opposite Wellington Railway Station, will showcase the work of 15 Wellington artists. A percentage of all sales on opening night will go to Wellington Free Ambulance to help equip a new ambulance.

ARTrove was started in 2011 by three Wellington artists, Adele Eagleson, Karen Hamilton-Smith and Kirsty Fyfe, who are all passionate about creativity and about sharing affordable art with the public.

Kirsty said the group was delighted about fundraising for Wellington Free Ambulance. “Many Wellingtonians don’t realise that we are incredibly lucky to have the only free paramedic service in New Zealand. The name says it all but many people don’t appreciate that outside the Greater Wellington area, users have to pay for call outs.”

We hope through our exhibition opening night not only to raise funds for Wellington Free but also to raise awareness of how fortunate we are to have this unique service.”

Wellington Free Ambulance was launched in 1927 by Charles Norwood, city mayor and philanthropist and his vision of a free service has held through the years. Each year, Wellington Free has to raise $4 million from businesses, clubs and kind individuals who give to continue it’s 24/7 free coverage of Greater Wellington, Kapiti and the Wairarapa.

Wellington Free CEO Diana Crossan said funds raised from the event will make a big difference. “Each year we have to buy six replacement ambulances that need lots of expensive equipment, from lifepak machines to resuscitation kits. We simply couldn’t buy the things we need without the help of our community.”

ARTrove 2015 opens on Thursday November 19 and runs weekdays until Wednesday November 23. Exhibiting artists are Adele Eagleson, Alec MacDonald, Ann Breen, Anna Ivanovska, Brian Nelson, Juliet Best, Karen Hamilton-Smith, Kirsty Fyfe, Owie Simpson, Paul Vincent, Rieko Woodford-Robinson, Ronda Thompson, Sarah Albisser and Storm Davenport.

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