Media Release
4 October 2017
Generous sponsorship from Lions Clubs provides 21 recliner chairs for Northland Hospitals
Fundraising from charity groups has provided enough money to purchase 21 Romeo Recliner chairs which will be used by
whānau who are helping care for their loved one in hospital.
The Whangarei Lions Club donated $17,765 being funds raised by the 2016 Fireworks night and proceeds from a fundraiser
on the night of the Joseph Parker Fight night. Tutukaka and Onerahi Lions clubs, the Kamo Club and Cowley’s Hire have
sponsored a chair each and Contractors for Charity and Gallagher’s have sponsored two chairs each.
Nigel Parton, the Northland representative for Gallagher NZ, one of the main sponsors for the Joseph Parker v’s Ruiz
World Heavyweight boxing match last December, offered a commercial TV licence to the Whangarei Lions Club for use as a
fundraiser.
Whangarei Lions member Terry Ward met with the management of the Kamo Club and they generously offered their Club
premises as the venue for the events live broadcast.
“We quickly put together a small committee including Gary Younger, Brad Flower and Lions members Greig Tapper, George
McKenzie and myself, and with the Kamo Club management organised the event in a record two weeks,” recalls Terry.
“With their great support in selling tickets, some raffles, and a small auction (auctioneer Gary Younger), a sum in
excess of $7500.00 was raised. With further generous support from Tutukaka and Onerahi Lions clubs and Cowleys Hire, a
fantastic result has been achieved in being able to sponsor the 21 Romeo Recliners for our hospitals.”
Made in Kaiwaka, the Romeo Recliners feature premium lumbar support and the correct seat height and depth to provide the
ultimate in comfort to our families.
“Whānau who are caring for their loved one often stay overnight or spend quite a lot of time at the bedside,” offered
Margareth Broodkoorn, Director of Nursing and Midwifery.
“Being given the opportunity to provide whānau with a comfortable chair is a godsend and we are extremely grateful to
the organisations that have helped make this happen.”
Northland DHB adopted the Partners in Care policy in 2015. Research shows that the presence of family members and close
friends as partners in care can enhance the patient and family experience, improve the management of both acute and
chronic medical problems and reduce the risk of medical error.
A Partner in Care is someone the patient chooses who is over the age of 18 and who would normally provide the patient
with physical, psychological, or emotional support.
The Romeo Chairs are being delivered to the wards this week.