It's Time To Remember

THE Hawke's Bay public is being encouraged to hold a Time to Remember next month to help ensure hospice care remains free for all New Zealanders.

Cranford Hospice, based in Hastings, is one of 37 which come under Hospice New Zealand's umbrella. It provides free palliative care to people living with terminal illness.

All hospices have joined forces for the national appeal, which aims to raise more than $650,000 this year. Last year's appeal was so successful it raised more than the targeted $500,000.

The public can get behind the appeal by either holding a Time to Remember event or 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.

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

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.

Money raised from the appeal will help top up hospices' funding. They are partially Government funded but rely heavily on community fundraising to cover running costs.

Cranford relies on the continuing generosity of the Hawke's Bay community and needs to raise $600,000 annually from he community to fill the gap between Government funding and the actual cost of providing free quality palliative care.

Cranford offers a comprehensive specialist palliative care service, receiving about 510 new referrals each year.

The inpatient unit has eight beds and at any given time Cranford's nursing and medical staff also care for more than 130 patients in the community, enabling them to remain in their homes and with their families for as long as possible.

ENDS

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