Hospice winner in Farmers campaign

THANKS: Masterton Farmers store manager Lisa Parker hands Wairarapa Hospice general manager Suzie Adamson a cheque for more than $8600, from a Christmas campaign called Caring Connections in Our Community.

Wairarapa Hospice has received $8600 as part of a national Christmas campaign by Farmers Trading Company.

In the four weeks leading up to Christmas, Farmers stores throughout New Zealand hosted a Tree of Remembrance, asking customers to make a donation to support their hospice shop.

Nationally, more than $600,000 was raised in the Hospice/Farmers partnership, called Caring Connections in our Community.

Hospice NZ CEO Mary Schumacher said they were "absolutely overwhelmed" over the way Farmers embraced the campaign.

Farmers managing director Rod McDermott said they were thankful to the communities for getting behind their hospices.

Wairarapa Hospice general manager Suzie Adamson said: "We are truly touched by the passion and commitment all the wonderful Farmers staff have shown to support free palliative care in our Wairarapa community.

"This has built on from the huge donation they made in their centenary year to our Hospice which helped us purchase our base Te Kowhai.

"The funds Farmers raised from the 2014 Remembrance Tree in the store will make a real difference in the provision of free services and resources to all who seek hospice support, and for family and carers afterwards. We simply cannot thank Farmers and our generous community enough."