Hospices throughout the country have once again been overwhelmed and humbled by the support from Farmers Department Stores and their customers in the lead up to Christmas last year.
More than $801,000 has been donated to hospice services around the country following the Remembrance Tree Appeal, marking the most successful year to date.
For the seventh year in a row, Farmers customers and staff were fully behind the campaign – purchasing the limited edition bauble and making donations to the Tree of Remembrance.
One hundred per cent of all funds donated in store remain in the local community, helping ensure hospice care is provided at no cost to people with life-limiting conditions, their families, and whānau.
The incredible efforts from both Bayfair and Tauranga Crossing Farmers stores, along with the generosity of their customers, saw a total of $26,690.27 raised in-store for Waipuna Hospice.
In addition to Farmers Department Stores, Waipuna Hospice also ran a community-based remembrance Tree Appeal with collection sites in supermarkets, shopping centres, garden centres, and markets around the community. Thanks to the kindness of the community, a further $37,292.70 was donated to the appeal.
For Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, the total donation of $63,962.28 will enable Waipuna Hospice to continue to provide the best possible specialist hospice palliative care, enhancing the quality of life for those facing end of life and bereavement.
'We were overwhelmed at the support shown for Waipuna Hospice through the 2020 Remembrance Tree Appeal, particularly in what was an extremely hard year for many,” says Waipuna Hospice CEO, Richard Thurlow.
'The Farmers teams played a huge part in helping us achieve this excellent result, and we are humbled by the generous support of the Bayfair and Tauranga Crossing stores.”
"I also want to thank all those in our community who remembered a loved one through this appeal too. Every dollar raised from this appeal helps us help our community. Lastly, but certainly not least, I would like to make a special mention to the volunteers who made this appeal possible.
'The time and effort that our dedicated volunteers give to Waipuna Hospice continues to blow me away. During this appeal they contributed over 660 volunteer hours. We really wouldn't be able to do this without them."
'As a brand, it's a pleasure to align ourselves with Waipuna Hospice again,” says Farmers Bayfair store manager Tim Willson.
'It's with great pride that we support an organisation that provides so much assistance to individuals and families, in our community, when they need it most. We are also very grateful to our customers who so generously supported this campaign with their donations.”
With the campaign now over for another year, Waipuna Hospice warmly invites you and your family, whānau, and friends to their Remembrance Service at 7pm on March 23, 2021, where a blessing of all personal messages placed on the Remembrance Trees will take place.
The service, held in the Waipuna Hospice Atrium, will include music and reflection, and attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved ones.
A RSVP is not required, and anyone is welcome to attend. For more information, phone Waipuna Hospice on: 07 552 4380.