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Lets support Volunteer FireFighter Pete Ottley and his family

$12,813 of $20,000 goal
Given by 139 generous donors in 4 weeks

Supporting a fellow FENZ Volunteer - Kingston Controller Pete Ottley

Kingston

Peter Ottley is a Volunteer Fire Fighter in Kingston. Pete and his family need our help.

Pete has PTSD that was triggered by attending a horrendous bus accident prior to Christmas. Not the first one he's seen over his 13 years as a volunteer, but this one hit hard. He has needed to take time off work to look after himself.

What can we do to help? It would be life-changing if we could lift the financial burden and allow Pete and his family time to heal.

Pete has been brave in sharing his story through local media. He’s drawing a focus to the fact that Volunteer firefighters are excluded from certain ACC benefits due to being classified as non-employees.

One day at a time Pete. We are all here to support you.

Link to the Otago Daily Times is here - https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/no-acc-help-over-ptsd-dismays

Link to the Lakes Weekly article is here - https://lwb.co.nz/content/community-backs-volunteer-firefighter

Link to the Southland Times article is here - https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360592112/volunteer-fireman-denied-acc-cover-after-mental-breakdown?

Katherine Lamont's involvement (page creator)

A fellow FENZ Volunteer

Use of funds

Any money raised will be paid direct to Pete, covering usual household expenses.

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Latest update

Thank you from Pete Ottley - Part Two  10 April 2025

To all the Fire Brigade volunteers, St John, Fire and Emergency who have called, messaged, or sat down for a yarn - thank you! Hearing your own stories and knowing I’m not alone in this has meant the world to me. What we do as volunteers isn’t for the glory, it’s for our communities. And to be part of a team that shows up, no matter what, to help others get home safe... that’s something truly special. The work we do matters and it makes a difference. Thank you for looking after me, for protecting me and for letting me know that it’s okay to feel this way.

To our amazing wider community—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness, your care and your generosity have been overwhelming. The support we’ve received has truly helped carry us through.

To everyone who donated to the Givealittle page, I can’t thank you enough. Every contribution has made a difference and it’s allowed me to focus on healing and finding my feet again. It’s something I’ll never ever forget.

I’m working on getting better and once I do, I look forward to catching up with as many of you as I can - and being one of those people who helps others through tough times, just like you did for me.

Thank you!

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Latest donations

Steve
Steve on 05 Apr 2025
$20
Philip
Philip on 05 Apr 2025
All the best for your recovery.The injustice you have exposed is a critical area this government needs to address urgently to avoid many more Volunteers exiting. We wish you all the Best - Takaka Volunteer Fire Brigade
$100
Trish
Trish on 04 Apr 2025
All the very best, you deserve to get ACC, I've signed the petition.
$31
Lochana
Lochana on 04 Apr 2025
> My heart aches hearing this news. It brings back a flood of memories from 2020, when firefighters and St. John paramedics saved my life in a terrible accident. I would be here if it weren't for them. Pete's story is a stark reminder of the incredible bravery and sacrifice these heroes make every single day. They risk it all for us. Let's take a moment to truly appreciate them, to remember that they're not just uniforms, but people with families, just like Pete. My prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time. We should never take their service for granted.
$100
Kingston Fire Brigade
Kingston Fire Brigade on 03 Apr 2025
Thank you for your service Pete, we are all thinking of you and we miss you, take care and hope to see you soon. From the team.
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Who's involved?

Katherine Lamont's avatar
Created by Katherine Lamont
Pete Ottley's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Pete Ottley
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This campaign started on 5 Mar 2025 and ended on 5 Apr 2025.