Sugar free kids raise $900 for Wellington Free Ambulance

Sugar free kids raise $900 for Wellington Free Ambulance

Five young Wellingtonians, aged between six and 13 have just done a great thing for their health, and in the process raised $900 for their charity of choice - Wellington Free Ambulance.

Family spokesperson Emily, aged 13, says the whole idea started when her mum said she'd give her and her brother Dan and cousin Olivia $100 if they could go without sugar for a month. Emily said it was a deal, and that they could do it for a whole term.

"I think we could all cut down on the sugar we have. It's in so many of the everyday things we buy at the supermarket. I wanted the kids to gain some awareness of how much sugar and additives go into our food," Emily's mum Viv Young explains.

The $100 dollar bet was easily met, and was a catalyst for more to come. The children were joined by younger twin brothers Scott and Matt on a new venture. This time proceeds from their sugar free term would go to helping others - Wellington Free Ambulance.

"We picked Wellington Free Ambulance because if people don't donate, it won't be free anymore," Emily says. "We think people shouldn't have to worry about paying when they have an emergency."

The Young family have had their own personal experience of Wellington Free paramedics. Matt had three degree burns to his finger only a few months back that resulted in paramedics coming to his aid. He says they were 'pretty nice'. His mum says they were great, worked out what was wrong and got Matt to help at the nearest A&E.

During the sugar free challenge the children had to resist temptations galore. Emily says birthday parties and shared lunches at school were the hardest. Scott adds that the toughest bit was when he won the 'player of the day' chocolate fish. Said fish sat at the side of his bed for the duration of the challenge, and then when it was over..."Matt ate it!"

Diana Crossan, chief executive for Wellington Free Ambulance says that the Young / Rollings youngsters are budding leaders in our community.

"Good on them. That's real sacrifice, and their efforts have made a big difference to a lot of people.

"Wellington Free Ambulance has to raise $4m every year. That works out to $10 per person per year across our region. The Young / Rollings family has just done the work of 90 people."

Emily says it was "a really good feeling when we handed the money over. It was good to have the sugar too, but we didn't go crazy on it."

12 September is Wellington Free Ambulance's annual appeal. Please help to keep your paramedic service free by giving to our collectors or go to https://donate.wfa.org.nz/

There are lots of ways you can help - contact us at www.wfa.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media