Hospice reaches fundraising target

Otago Community Hospice chief executive Ginny Green says the community should be applauded for...
Otago Community Hospice chief executive Ginny Green says the community should be applauded for its generosity. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Take a bow, Otago. Your hospice's $2 million fundraising mountain has been knocked off.

The Otago Community Hospice needed the funds to plug its government funding shortfall, a gap amounting to more than 40% of its yearly spend.

But through a combination of donors, a successful street appeal, hospice shop income, corporate donations and an Otago Daily Times campaign, the money has been found, hospice chief executive Ginny Green said yesterday.

The money needed represented a ''big chunk'' of the hospice's funding, and having it raised from around the community was ''very cool''.

''This is a huge amount to ask of our community and, once again, we are humbled by this amazing level of support.

''We are so grateful to the community of Otago. We want to acknowledge and thank everyone that has helped us.''

Ms Green said the hospice's 400-strong army of volunteers had also made an ''enormous contribution''.

While the dollar value of hospice's volunteer workforce was significant in its own right - exceeding $500,000 a year - their true value was ''so much more than that'', Ms Green said.

''The volunteers bring with them a wealth of life and work skills and experiences that enhance the organisation in so many ways.''

The next year was looking ''slightly more secure financially'' as the hospice would receive $500,000 of the Government's $13 million hospice funding increase.

While the hospice would also have a 5% base funding cut from the Southern District Health Board, the new government money left it better off, she said.

But fundraising would still be a critical need over the coming year, Ms Green said.

''We will always need community support, to enable us to continue to deliver our services free of charge and everyone at hospice is truly grateful to everyone that contributes.''

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