Hospice marks milestone

CELEBRATION: Staff from the first decade that attended the afternoon tea on Saturday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Arohanui Hospice celebrated their official 25th anniversary by bringing together everyone who had contributed to the organisation.

On Friday hospice staff celebrated with a Mihi Whakatau on their open day and talked about future plans.

Chief executive Clare Randall said over the next 25 years they planned to expand to allow for greater numbers in the facility.

"We have really grown over the years; we now have a lot of nurses out in the community doing more. We want to be able to improve our services and this is a really good time to say, 'watch this space' as we are getting busier and busier and we plan to continue that over the next 25 years."

On the Friday night the hospice gathered their supporters together to express their thanks.

They shared cake and recalled their experiences with the hospice.

Palliative Care director Simon Allan said, 25 years ago there was a birth of something truly fantastic which would earn a great reputation.

"The supporters and community have been great, the demand of health is going to be a real challenge over the next few years and we need all the supporters that we can get to meet everyone's needs.

"We will find good ways to get other organisations to help as we will educate and train them on the importance. I am confident that the future will be even brighter than the past 25 years."

Over the Saturday and Sunday they had all past and present staff, volunteers and board members come together for morning tea and dinner to celebrate. A remembrance service was also held on the Sunday for previous staff, volunteers and patients.