Theft of Hawke's Bay Hospital memorial garden donations saddens chaplain

Not happy: Marg Porter, duty manager (left) and Reverend Barbara Walker with a new remembrance Christmas tree donation box after money was stolen. Photo/Paul Taylor.

Money collected to keep the memorial garden at the Hawke's Bay Hospital pristine was stolen on Sunday.

A bucket was placed by the memorial tree in the hospital foyer on Saturday to collect donations in the lead up to the annual remembrance service.

Hawke's Bay Hospital chaplain Barbara Walker was shocked to find on Sunday the lid had been removed and money taken.

"Each time people donate they put a dove on the tree to remember their loved ones. There were a lot of doves on the tree but only $3 in the bucket so we knew the money had gone. It was very sad."

Reverend Walker said they had collected a lot of money on Saturday and since starting the memorial tree seven years ago had made more than $1000.

The garden is a popular place, which offers people the chance to sit and reflect while visiting or staying in the hospital.

"We know how special the garden is and everything we raise from this goes straight towards keeping the garden looking wonderful. People trust that the money given goes to the garden."

She was saddened by the event, as it was a special time of year for those who had lost loved ones.

"We usually get 1700 doves on the tree and expected to reach that this year. It is a very special occasion and we bless all of the doves at the hospital remembrance service."

Reverend Walker had now got a new donation box, which would be harder for people to walk away with.

"It is a bigger box, which you can't just take the lid off and walk away with the money inside."

She said this had happened in previous years but not to this extent.

"We have had a wee bit taken but not this amount so quickly. The tree only went up on Saturday."

She hopes the money will be returned to the hospital as it is a special time of year for those who are remembering loved ones.