Guide Dog Services toasts the generosity of West Auckland hospitality venue patrons

Media Release issued on behalf of
Waitakere Licensing Trust.

Generous patrons at West Auckland’s newest hospitality venue, The Hangar in Henderson’s Central Park Drive, dipped deeply into their pockets at the venue’s opening function recently – and donated $1063 for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s Guide Dog Services.

Among those attending the opening night function at The Hangar were leading members from West Auckland’s business community, Waitakere City Council representatives, and sporting celebrities from the region. However, guest of honor on the night at the restaurant and bar opening was guide dog in training Gabby – a Labrador puppy - and Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s Guide Dog Services regional fundraising manager Bernadette Brewer.

Ms Brewer said The Hangar’s generous $1063 sponsorship was greatly appreciated, and would be utilised to help fund the training of other young guide dogs. Gabby’s dedicated trainer, Rochelle Freeman, is based in Te Atatu.

“It costs more than $22,000 to breed, raise, train and match a guide dog, so this donation is an excellent start toward preparing another dog to help a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired guide dog handler. It is encouraging for our organisation to be considered by such a community-conscious hospitality venue as The Hangar,” said Ms Brewer.

West Auckland Trust Services general manager of operations, Michael Friend, said The Hangar’s fundraising gesture wholeheartedly embodied the hospitality venue’s philosophy – to become an integral and trusted part of the West Auckland community.

“The opening of The Hangar was a special occasion for the West Auckland community, but we wanted to mark the occasion with something more meaningful than the standard brass plaque beside the front door,” Michael Friend said. “Guide Dog Services is an organisation which provides an outstanding and often overlooked services to the community. Guide dogs provide confidence and independence to approximately 270 New Zealanders.”

“When The Hangar extended its warmth and hospitality at the opening function, we viewed this event as the perfect opportunity to not only raise the profile of Guide Dog Services in West Auckland, but to also give something worthwhile and tangible back to the community. The Hangar restaurant and bar team is proud to have been able to assist such a spirited and deserving organisation as Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s Guide Dog Services,” concluded Michael Friend.

ENDS

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