Hospice spending its cash to raise more

Jessie Mravicich (front) and Yvonne Wright of South Auckland Hospice have the $10,000 donation from Auckland Airport to add to their Christmas tree. Photo / Steven McNicholl

South Auckland Hospice hopes an early-morning walk will not only raise some much-needed money but will also help the community realise what the hospice service is all about.

The service provides care, compassion and support for people at the end of life.

Clinical director Dr Willem Landman says people often see it as a "fancy death house".

"Our focus is quality of life so we want people to live until they die," he says. "We wouldn't work here if this was like a morgue."

Dr Landman says the hospice wanted to help people and their families live the best they can in difficult and challenging circumstances.

"I think the key message which people struggle with is that it is a philosophy of care - not a building."

As part of the 12 Days of Christmas, the $10,000 gift for South Auckland Hospice will go towards setting up a new annual community event, the Dawn Walk, to raise money and awareness of the hospice service. The first walk will be on Sunday, March 28.

The money comes from $120,000 collected in unwanted change at Auckland Airport from travellers.

Business manager Yvonne Wright says the hospice receives funding from the district health board but also relies heavily on donations.

"This year we'll have to raise $2.68 million and this is one of the ways in which we raise money."

The hospice will raise money through a small entry fee and sponsorship for the walkers and aims to make at least $100,000 in the first year.

"It's a women's-only walk so we need all the blokes there on first aid and bottle support."

She expects between 500 to 1000 women to take part in routes of 5km or 10km through the Botanical Gardens and Totara Park in Manurewa.

She hopes the event will help to demystify the hospice and says it is aimed at people who might not be traditional supporters.

"We wanted it to be something that is fun and healthy. We're hoping to get good healthy breakfast sponsored and some entertainment and make it a really fun morning for people."

KEEP THE CHANGE

This Christmas, the Herald is featuring 12 hard-working charities, all of which have been selected for a $10,000 donation from Auckland International Airport.

The winners were chosen by an independent group of advisers for the company, which collected the $120,000 from change dropped off by travellers this year.