This brings the $200,000 target of the Otago Daily Times' "Help the Hospice" campaign closer.
Today, reporter Ellie Constantine profiles two Dunedin women who organised fundraising events for the hospice and Combined Rural Traders Society Ltd, which has made a donation to the cause.
Two donations came in this week - one of $5000 from a businessman, who preferred not to be named, and $500 from MREINZ, which held a sports day last week and donated money from a raffle.
CRT gives $5000 for hospice
In an unusual move for the agricultural business, Combined Rural Traders Society Ltd (CRT) has met the Otago Daily Times' challenge and donated $5000 to the Otago Community Hospice.
The company did not usually provide sponsorship to any organisation which was not related to agriculture, chief executive Brent Esler said.
"Anything we invest the co-operative's money in must meet strict criteria because it is on our farmers' behalf that we are spending."
However, he believed the hospice was worthy of its support because it provided an essential health service at no cost to the patients or their families, yet was only 50% funded by the Government.
"The hospice provides such a great service . . . It was our feeling that our shareholders would support this donation."
The incoming National government made a pledge to boost hospice funding nationwide and it seemed likely the Otago Community Hospice would benefit from this, he said.
"However, there is a short-term funding shortfall that needs to be urgently addressed and to see the ODT making this kind of effort to help the people of Otago is heartwarming.
"We were very pleased to be able to meet the Otago Daily Times' challenge to companies in the Otago region."
Dance raises spirits and funds
With butterflies decorating the walls and people in high spirits, a dance at the South Dunedin Community Hall last month raised $4000 for the Otago Community Hospice.
After hearing the hospice was in debt, the committee of the Scottish Society of Dunedin decided to find a way to support them, president Ngaire Dale said.
"We knew the need was there and that we could help out," she said.
Due to the popularity of dancing in the city, it was thought it would be a good fundraising option.
An auction and raffle were held on the night and the Melody Makers band entertained the 180 people present.
"Everyone enjoyed it. It was really great."
People were keen to get on board because of the cause, which saw the hall hire and the band fees waived, as well as a large number of items donated for the raffle.
"We were amazed with the amount of support," Mrs Dale said.
This ensured that "every bit of money we made went to the hospice".
After visiting people in the hospice's care, she came away impressed with the organisation and said it was "worth every dollar" it received.
She also believed the Otago Daily Times "Help the Hospice" campaign was a good idea as the plight of the hospice needed to be known.
"We have got to get it out there . . . until the Government gets some money to support these places," Mrs Dale said.
The event was organised by 12 members of the Scottish Society of Dunedin, Taieri Scottish Society, St Andrews Society and the South Dunedin Dance Club.
