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Celebration Charity Auction Planned for Hospice
Hopes are high an exclusive charity auction in March, celebrating all that is good about Gisborne, will raise $50,000 for Hospice Tairawhiti and launce a much-needed capital fundraising project. The organisation has outgrown its Gisborne Hospital based premises, and a facilities review is under way to determine just what is needed for the future. Hospice Tairawhiti general manager Barbara Grout says there are several possible outcomes. “The board are currently considering options which included renting a larger building, purchasing an existing property, or building,” says Mrs Grout. “Whichever way we go, we know we need larger premises and there will be costs associated with this move.”
The March 11 Charity Auction at The Vines is being organised by Bridgette Penny, who is encouraging local businesses to get in behind such a worthy cause. Chef Bryn Lewis is creating a degustation menu matched by local wine and Sunshine Brewery beer. “We’re looking at some really exciting things with the menu,” says Ms Penny. “We want the region’s businesses to get involved, celebrate their own success story, sharing that with their business networks and clients, and supporting Hospice. It will be a very special night.” The Charity Auction will include work from local artists, wines and also “bucket list” experiences. “Those experiences will create memories, which is very much what Hospice is about too, reflected in their motto ‘Living Every Moment’.”
The evening is supported by Electrinet, Hospice Tairawhiti’s main sponsor. Ms Penny was earlier involved in event management, and ran a number of successful auctions for Hospice Tairawhiti, but now works for Electrinet.
Mrs Grout is quick to reassure the community, that any changes to location would not affect the service Hospice Tairawhiti offer. “Our aim is to enhance the services we currently provide, extending the programmes we offer and giving people more choices in how they are delivered. A larger facility would allow those who are well enough, and want to continue to be out and about, to come to us rather than having home visits. Our current premises restrict programmes we offer and the way we deliver services because we just don’t have the room,” she says.
Hospice Tairawhiti is partially funded by the District Health Board, but still has to raise around 40% of its running costs annually. Each year the organisation cares for around 160 patients and their extended whanau.