Show hospice how grateful we are

Champion rower Rob Hamill will help out to raise the money during the annual black tie dinner and auction. Photo / File

None of us want to think about the time when we may need the services of Hospice, but when the time does come, the care and compassion of the staff, and the equipment it provides for loved ones is so gratefully received.

Now it's our time to give back to the Rotorua Hospice by supporting its fundraising efforts.

It needs to raise $30,000 tomorrow night at its annual black tie dinner and auction and has enlisted the services of champion rower, Rob Hamill to help out.

As well as representing New Zealand in rowing events throughout the world, Rob has also produced a documentary about his brother's death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and has testified in the court of the Crimes Against Humanity Pol Pot Trail.

"We are delighted to have an inspirational and thought provoking guest speaker in Rob. There's a lot of substance to this outstanding individual - but most importantly he is a Hospice ambassador," says funding and development manager Jan Morgan.

Elisha Hulton will be entertaining the audience. She is one of this country's most outstanding mezzo-sopranos and brings a warm Polynesian flavour with a repertoire including opera, classical cross-over, musical theatre, jazz and pop.

In addition, the Rotary Sunshine Rockers will get the audience dancing the rest of the night away.

Over the last 12 months, the Rotorua Hospice cared for over 420 patients translating to approximately 20,000 home visits by the clinical team.

The money raised tomorrow night will be used to purchase specialist equipment such as walking frames, oxygen concentrators, motorised beds with air pressure mattresses, and wheel chairs.

The government only provides 44 per cent of the funding required for hospice care, leaving an $80,000 shortfall to make up last year.

Details
What: Rotorua Community Hospice Annual Dinner and Auction
Where: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
When: Saturday, 12 September, 7pm
Tickets: $95