Dig deep for hospice

Dig deep for hospice

THE New Zealand public is being urged to dig deep during this month's national hospice appeal to help ensure care remains free for all New Zealanders.

All the country's hospices come under the Hospice New Zealand umbrella and provide free palliative care to people living with terminal illness, while also supporting family/whanau and friends.

Hospice New Zealand chief executive Mary Schumacher says hospice services nationwide are in more demand than ever as patient numbers continue to rise.

But because they are only partially Government funded, she says the need for funding is vital.

"We are always amazed and overwhelmed by the public's generosity and we are calling on their support once again to help us ensure care remains free of charge for everyone."

While the amount each hospice must raise to cover running costs differs, some have the huge task of finding up to $3 million a year.

All hospices have joined forces for this year's appeal and they aim to raise $650,000.

The public can help by either holding a Time to Remember event or by making a donation in their appeal envelope when it is delivered to all households between May 14-20.

Each year the Time to Remember gives people a chance to host a get-together and have some fun and raise money for their chosen hospice.

Each host will be sent a pack containing everything they need to plan their event an album full of recipes by celebrity chef and hospice ambassador Jo Seagar, as well as invitation postcards, donation envelopes and other helpful hints.

For more information, or to register as a host, phone 0800 TIME 4 FUN (846 343) or visit www.time-to-remember.org.nz.

ENDS

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