A happy birthday at Hospice

One of Hospice Wairarapa’s most important sources of funds – its Masterton retail store on Queen St – is celebrating its 10th birthday this month.

“Retail is an outstanding success and it’s hugely reliant on volunteers,” Hospice Wairarapa chief executive Gretchen Saulbrey said.

Of the more than 70 volunteers across Hospice Wairarapa’s retail operations, over 40 help run the Masterton store, including drivers for pick-ups and deliveries.

“We just can’t operate without them,” the charity’s retail manager Sue Cochrane said.

Other important elements are people who donate to the stores in Masterton and Greytown and to the regular garage sale.

Donations are often made by people whose family has received support from Hospice Wairarapa, Cochrane said.

“If you’ve shopped with us, your money is providing our services to the community, free of charge,” Saulbrey said.

Hospice Wairarapa’s services include a range of support services for people with a life-limiting illness in Wairarapa.

“We are not clinical,” Saulbrey explained. “What we do with our services is help people and their whānau prepare for what’s ahead.”

The street appeal on November 17 and 18 is another important source of income for Hospice Wairarapa.

This year, collections will take place at all supermarkets, P&K in Martinborough, House of Travel and Mitre 10 in Masterton and also online via the streamlined donation system on Hospice Wairarapa’s refreshed website.

The success of the organisation’s street appeals, retail stores and fundraising events gives it some freedom in how it spends its money in the region, Saulbrey said.

“We have a small amount of government funding to do certain things, but when you raise your own money, there’s a lot more opportunity,” she said.

One opportunity has been to donate $15,000 worth of specialist equipment to be used by Wairarapa Hospital palliative care nurses in people’s homes.

“We very much appreciate Hospice Wairarapa fulfilling a wish list of high-demand equipment such as electric beds, lifts and reclining chairs, walking frames, sit-to-stand aids, and pressure aid cushions,” Wairarapa Allied Health occupational therapist, Franky Spite, said.

“Donations such as this from Hospice Wairarapa make life much easier for our staff, especially our palliative care nurses, our patients and their families and caregivers.

For more information about Hospice Wairarapa and to donate visit www.hospicewairarapa.co.nz/