From the Chief Executive June 2009
Community Support Remains Vital for Hospice
Hospice South Auckland will benefit from the Government’s recent budget announcement which sees hospice services throughout the country receiving a $15m injection of funding.
I am absolutely delighted about the additional funding from Government; it is a welcome relief, especially given the tough economic climate.
It is fantastic news and couldn’t have come at a better time as we are extremely aware of the downturn in the economy and the impact it is having on families and business in the wider Manukau and South Auckland areas. We will receive the additional funding from July 09.
While the Government’s additional funding for hospices throughout the country is a welcome boost there is still a funding shortfall to cover the operational expenses a hospice faces annually.
We are very grateful for the additional funding but the reality is we still need to fundraise a very large part of our annual operating costs, which equates to $2 million for our hospice – that’s $5,500 per day!
Hospices throughout the country are incredibly well supported by their communities.
We just could not operate without the South Auckland community’s co-operation and assistance – both financially and through our volunteer team. In addition to fundraising, we have our valuable network of volunteers without whom the Hospice would be unable to provide essential services to patients both in the community and in the Hospice’s residential unit. We will be recognising our volunteers at the long service awards function on 20 June.
Hospice constantly battle the perception that hospice is a place where people go to die. Hospice is a philosophy around how to care for people who have a life limiting illness. Our care ensures that they and their families are cared for with the utmost professional skill, compassion and respect and allowing them to live every moment.
Gary Sturgess
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