Light Up Hospice For Christmas

Media Release
25 November 2009

Light Up Hospice For Christmas

On Sunday, 6 December 2009, Hospice West Auckland will be illuminated with sparkling lights to celebrate the magic and mystery of Christmas.

Waitakere-based MC and entertainer, Greg Ward, will lead an unforgettable evening of entertainment for all. Enjoy soul-reviving jazz with the Waitakere Brass Brand, watch Chinese lions come to life as the E-Pacs Team dance to the sounds of drums and gongs, and be inspired by the award winning Rangeview Intermediate Kapa Haka group.

In true community spirit, Light up Hospice for Christmas offers something special for everyone. For the children, face-painters dressed in fairy gowns will give their faces a colourful make over. They will also have the opportunity to meet Santa.

Rejoice in the Christmas spirit with carol singing. A special lighting of candles will take place to remember those who are not with us – the shining stars that have touched our lives in their special way.

When darkness falls, Hospice House will be transformed as the lights are turned on, sparkling and shining with the magic and mystery of Christmas – this night and every night until Christmas Eve.

Everyone - young and old, families and people on their own are welcome. Bring a picnic chair, a candle and join us as we celebrate Christmas together.

Light up Hospice for Christmas is a free community event for all on Sunday 6 December 2009, from 7:30-9:30pm, at 52 Beach Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula, Waitakere.

This evening also launches our annual Christmas Remembrance Trees (STARS) appeal in shopping malls, local markets and Christmas parades from 7-24 December 2009.

CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE TREES (STARS)

The official switching on of lights at Light up Hospice for Christmas will launch the annual Christmas Remembrance Trees (STARS) appeal from 7-24 December 2009.

Shoppers can write a message on a silver or golden star decoration to remember a loved one, hang it on the Christmas tree, and make a donation to Hospice.

Outrageous Fortune fans will have an opportunity of winning a great prize. Donations of $10 or more will go in the draw to win a walk-on part with a friend in the next series.

Christmas trees will be located at West City, Westgate, LynnMall, and Kelston shopping centres, West Wave and PSIS. More trees will be at Lincoln Rd’s Mitre 10 Mega, Helensville’s Unichem and outside the ASB at Te Atatu Peninsula. Trees will also be at Titirangi, Coatesville and Oratia local markets and Te Atatu, Helensville, Kumeu and Henderson Christmas Parades.

Send your wishes to your loved one on a star this Christmas and support Hospice West Auckland.

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Additional Information about Hospice West Auckland:

Hospice West Auckland exists so that terminally ill people in West Auckland and those who grieve for them experience death as a dignified and compassionately supported process.

Hospice West Auckland provides free 24 hour, 7 day a week specialist palliative care. Our focus is on relieving physical pain and emotional and/or spiritual concerns of patients, care givers and their families, so that they experience end of life as fully as possible.

Our community Hospice serves a diverse population of 220,000 throughout greater West Auckland, to the west coast beaches, Kumeu and Helensville, and up to the South Kaipara Heads. At any one time our service delivery teams are caring for more than180 families in West Auckland, available 24/7.

Our teams of specialist nurses go to patients in their own homes giving them the choice to die at home with the proper care and support systems in place. We also provide specialist equipment, extensive grief and bereavement services, as well as a range of patient and family day programmes and complementary therapies including massage and acupuncture. These programmes are designed to give patients and their families access to specialist services and to provide information, support and interaction.

Although a portion of our operational costs are received from the Waitemata District Health Board the remainder needs to be fundraised to ensure that we can continue to provide our services free of charge to the people of West Auckland.

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