Time to remember loved ones and to help Tairāwhiti hospice

Hospice nurse Marina Robertson and Gisborne Farmers store manager Neil Ritchie. Marina is holding this year’s bauble, which features a pohutukawa flower. Picture by Liam Clayton

Once again Farmers stores across New Zealand will be raising funds for their local hospice service in the lead-up to Christmas.

It is the 10th year Farmers staff and customers will join together to raise funds, to keep hospice care free of charge in every community across Aotearoa.

Customers can support Hospice Tairāwhiti two ways — by donating to the Tree of Remembrance in Farmers or by purchasing a limited edition bauble, available instore and online.

“Christmas is the time of year when we think of people who won’t be with us during the festive season. They may have died, they may be living overseas or in other parts of the country, or perhaps they just can’t be with family and friends at this time of year,” a Hospice Tairāwhiti spokeswoman said.

“From November 16 until Christmas Eve, everyone who makes a donation to Hospice Tairāwhiti while shopping in Farmers will receive a remembrance card.  This card is an opportunity to write a message for someone special on the dedicated Tree of Remembrance in store for friends and family and the community to see.

“During this time of year, we remember those who are no longer with us and cherish those who are.

“This year’s bauble is the red flower of the pōhutukawa — a special symbol of summer found only here in Aotearoa and blooming each year around Christmas time, earning it the name “New Zealand’s Christmas tree”.

“Each bauble is $15.99 and thanks to the generous support of Farmers, the full amount from every purchase will be donated to Hospice Tairāwhiti. Farmers also passes on 100 percent of all customer donations to hospice from the Tree of Remembrance.”

Farmers Gisborne store manager Neil Ritchie said the store was very proud to support the cause.

“Part of our company values is that we are very pro-active in fundraising for charities and this is even more important because it goes into our local community.”

The campaign launched on Thursday and Mr Ritchie said there were already quite a number of remembrance cards on the tree.

“That’s awesome to see and we are very proud to be a part of supporting the local hospice.”