Valerie Vili Rose Garden
Turning the soil to plant a (golden-yellow) rose named in her honour, reigning Olympic champion Valerie Vili recently launched a special campaign to help Hospice South Auckland continue to deliver a very high standard of care to approximately 700 patients and families in its area each year.
With a special commitment to the Hospice dating from when her mother was cared for there in 2000, Valerie Vili said she was delighted to announce the launch of the “Helping Valerie Help the Hospice” campaign. The campaign will focus on the new Valerie Vili Rose Garden to be developed in the Hospice’s extensive grounds, of which the new rose will be the first step. Len Brown, the Mayor of Manukau, and Calum Penrose, the Mayor of Papakura, joined Hospice supporters at the new garden site to help celebrate the launch of the campaign. TV pesonality, Brooke Howard-Smith supported the launch of this campaign as MC for the event.
“It really is an honour to be able to launch this campaign, because I know first-hand just what an important job this Hospice does in helping patients and their families at a very difficult time,” Valerie said. “This place and the people who work here are special. I am really delighted to be able to contribute to their work, and I urge as many people as possible to get in behind this campaign. I think this is a great way to help support an organisation that has become such an important part of our community,” she said. Valerie said the garden concept was also important to her as she had always been glad of being able to spend occasional quiet time in the Hospice surrounds when she had been there with her mother. The new rose by Matthews Nurseries will be available for purchase by the public at a future date. Matthews Nurseries is pleased to be associated with “such a good cause”. Bred by Bob Matthews, this beautiful, bright yellow rose “will add a gold medal to the Valerie Vili Rose Garden.” The new garden has been designed by local landscaper Susan Warrington. Welcoming the campaign, Yvonne Wright, Business Manager for the Hospice, said the Hospice hugely appreciated Valerie’s support and her commitment to the Hospice since becoming its first Ambassador earlier this year. “With this project we will not only raise much needed funds but can invite people to participate in the creation of a special new garden. This will be a thing of beauty in itself as well as showing just how much support the Hospice draws on from its community,” she said. Hospice provides care to approximately 700 patients and families in South Auckland every year. Funding from the District Health Board has recently increased to 70% however the Hospice must still raise $2.3 million every year to maintain what is widely regarded as a very high standard of care. Hospice South Auckland is delighted that Manurewa resident Belinda Murtagh has purchased the first paver in honour of her late friend Ann Davidson. Hawkins Construction have proudly purchased the first block. “When we built this hospice we made a lot of very good friends and it is an honour to support them in the vital care that they give to so many in the community,” says Don Young, Hawkins Construction Auckland Regional Manager.
The garden will be built early next year all going to plan. Hospice supporters are now invited to sponsor a paver, retaining blocks and seating in the new garden as it is developed and fully takes shape. The donation of a paver at $100 will support the community palliative nursing service, whilst the donation of a retaining block at $500 supports the In-patient service. A beautiful colour certificate signed by Valerie and Hospice Chief Executive Gary Sturgess will be forwarded to sponsors. This certificate can be individually worded as a sponsorship or in memory of a loved one. Perhaps you may like to sponsor a paver or retaining block in memory of a loved one or you may like to show your support for your community in a special way. If you belong to any club, school, or have a business, you may also like to consider being part of this project. (All donations are tax deductible and with changes to tax laws in most cases a third can be claimed back at the end of a financial year.)
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