Hospice Holly Trail gift to community
Hospice Holly Trail gift to community
This November, the sun shone brilliantly in Hawke’s Bay when 2,500 people explored 11 homes through Havelock North and Te Awanga as part of the Hospice Holly Trail.
Tickets sold out within hours, and people travelled from all over the country for this popular Christmas celebration in Hawke’s Bay homes in aid of Cranford Hospice.
KK Marffy, Hospice Holly Trail Chairperson reflects, “We had three fabulous Hospice Holly Trail days and again our heartfelt thanks to this year’s homeowners and designers for their huge hard work and inspiration. Everybody adored the homes and the utterly amazing work done by our floral designers, which positively sparkled in the three gorgeous days we were lucky enough to have.”
This event involves two years of planning, 350 volunteers, 60 organisations who sponsor the event, over 20 floral designers, 11 homeowners who generously volunteer their homes to be part of the Trail and 7 Committee Members who manage the event. Marffy continues, “Without these wonderful people we couldn’t produce the amazing result we do – all are part of a collaborative process which enable us to give back to Cranford Hospice, for all they do in our community.”
The Gifting of Funds ceremony was held last night at Birdwoods Gallery. A record-breaking $330,000 was gifted to local charity, Cranford Hospice.
Andrea Jopling, Cranford Hospice Deputy Chairperson, shared what this gift will mean for Cranford Hospice.
“This donation today will go towards our community nursing service. Every day here in Hawke’s Bay, our team are supporting over 150 patients and their families in their own homes – from Mahia through to Takapau. Our goal is to improve the quality of life that remains, understand what matters most in their life and to focus on the person and their family rather than their illness.”
Recently a family member, Jude, reflected on the care that her mum received by the Cranford Hospice team this year. “Throughout this time, Mum was cared for like she was their own Mum. I cannot find words to describe the support and empathy Mum received, especially through tough times of COVID-19. On call 24/7, sometimes an emergency call in the middle of the night, the nurses would stay for hours offering support, care and advice. Mum lived her last few weeks with minimal pain, surrounded by all of us. Thank you.”
Jopling continues, “For many of our patients and families, this year has been especially challenging. The Cranford Hospice team adapted to different ways of working through the nationwide lockdowns, and our recent Annual Report statistics showed that in a 12 month period, the team made 27,170 contacts to support 880 people living with palliative care needs. The youngest person we are supporting is only 1 year old, with the oldest being 100 years old. This care is only possible because of the support of our community, and we are incredibly grateful to the Hospice Holly Trail committee for this marvellous donation that will help people right here in Hawke’s Bay.”
Since 2000, the Hospice Holly Trail has donated more than $2.1 million to Cranford Hospice and is one of their largest charitable donors. To view this year’s gallery of photos, and to sign up to the Hospice Holly Trail’s mailing list for the 2022 event, please visit www.hollytrail.co.nz.
