Mercy Hospice has long recognised and celebrated the changing make-up of its patients, reflecting New Zealand’s
multi-cultural society. Their latest fundraising event, UNITE, has been two years in the planning but CEO Paul Couper
says with the recent attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, UNITE couldn’t be more relevant, with funds raised
benefiting the families affected, as well as Mercy Hospice.
“Hospice sponsor Barfoot & Thompson have generously agreed to match funds raised from any event ticket purchased plus donations given to Mercy
Hospice on the day. This big-hearted gesture means so much and speaks volumes of how we continue to respond to this
terrorist attack with love not hate.”
Couper says the concept behind UNITE is to get Kiwis together. “It’s very much about recognising and celebrating the
different cultures that make up our beautiful country. While it has been on our event calendar for many months, the
timing will enable New Zealanders another opportunity to come together, following the tragedy in Christchurch on 15
March. UNITE is a celebration of YOU ARE US which we’ve seen so strongly on social media and on posters and cards laid at various memorials around New Zealand.”
Peter Thompson, Managing Director from Barfoot & Thompson remarked that the decision to match funds for Christchurch was made instantaneously. “When Mercy Hospice
approached us, we didn’t need a meeting to decide, we just said ‘Yes!’ because it’s absolutely the right thing to do.
We’ve been supporters of Mercy Hospice for a number of years, the service they provide is so important for our
community, in fact, Barfoot and Thompson feel very humbled to be able to help both hospice and the families in
Christchurch affected by this horrific tragedy.”
UNITE is a family event that involves a 3.5 kilometre walk around the Auckland Domain. Following the walk there will be
music, entertainment and food stalls representative of different nationalities. Currently Mercy Hospice has a special
ticket price of $20, that includes entry to the event, which includes one adult and one child, plus a t-shirt, training
plans and a goodie bag,
Couper says that Mercy Hospice cares for anyone with a life-limiting illness within the Auckland District Health Board
area. Annually they raise $4 million, which makes up 40% of the funding required to provide the services, at no cost to
patients and their families.
“We are experts in palliative care, and we are here to help. Thanks to the generosity of our community, year after year,
we provide this service at no cost. Hospice supports anyone, in our area, with a life-limiting illness regardless of
age, ethnicity, means or religion. We truly hope the Auckland Domain is full to overflowing for our UNITE event on 7
April, helping to raise much needed funds for Mercy Hospice, to celebrate our diversity by coming together while also
raising money for Christchurch.”
To purchase your event ticket to UNITE please go to:
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 7 April 2019
Time: Registration 1pm, walk starts at 2pm
Where: Auckland Domain