On Monday, Wellington College marked the end of a year’s work with the official launch of the ambulance funded by the 2026 Super Six and Ian and Lyn Lindsay.

The Super Six opened the assembly by taking the school back to where it started: a single message in a group chat, asking whether the Runathon could put everything behind one charity and fundraise for an ambulance. Most people laughed. Wellington Free Ambulance didn’t. They backed the idea, worked with us to change a long-standing tradition, and gave the school a real goal to chase.

The boys then spoke about Runathon day itself on Friday 13 March, which delivered four seasons in one day, from a 6am start in the wind to rain at the 6pm finish. Tom Pescini ran over one hundred kilometres, and Charlie Kettle raised over $2,000 on his own to finish as the year’s top individual contributor.

Public donations almost doubled on 2025, and the Year 11 commerce market had its most successful year yet. Every dollar the school raised was then doubled by Ian and Lyn Lindsay, and one final top-up got us over the line. Wellington College is now the first school in New Zealand to fundraise for an ambulance through a student-led event.

Ian Lindsay spoke at the assembly about why he and Lyn chose to get behind Wellington Free Ambulance and the students driving it.

Dan Pallister-Coward, Chief Executive of Wellington Free Ambulance and a Wellington College Old Boy, also addressed the school. He spoke about what community funding means for a service that remains the only free ambulance service in the country, and about his pride in seeing his old school take it on.

Lucas Rongo and Finn Marshall were recognised on stage for their contribution. Lucas led the media and Finn led the design. Neither had to take it on. They gave up their own time because they believed in it, and their work is on every poster, every post and every video from this year.

The day started early. TVNZ’s Breakfast came to Wellington College that morning and broadcast live from the school ahead of the assembly.

The assembly closed with a blessing, a ribbon cutting, and a haka, before guests were invited to view the ambulance.

To every boy who ran a lap, bought a shirt or chased a donation: the ambulance is yours.

You can watch the wrap-up video and our Breakfast interview below.

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