Community Backs Hospice Street Appeal

Wellingtonians are getting out and supporting Mary Potter Hospice’s 2011 Street Appeal.

Six hundred and fifty volunteers will be at 150 locations around Wellington, Porirua and Paraparaumu collecting for Mary Potter Hospice’s Annual Street Appeal on Friday May 13 and Saturday May 14.

The volunteer collectors include MPs Annette King, Peter Dunne, Hekia Parata, Grant Robertson and Kris Faafoi, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon and Wellingtonian of the Year 2010, Ruth Gottleib. A number of corporate groups will be running sites.

“We are very grateful and humbled that so many Wellingtonians and our community leaders are getting behind the Hospice’s Appeal,” says Chief Executive, Ria Earp.

“I believe people realise that the Hospice provides a very special service for Wellingtonians - free of charge. Over the coming years, we are facing a huge financial challenge with increasing demand from an aging population. We hope the public will be able to give generously this year to support their local Hospice.”

“Mary Potter Hospice’s philosophy is to help our patients and their families make the most of life,” she says, “and the theme of this street appeal is “Holding Mummy’s Hands”.

“For some of our young mothers we have cast their hands in plaster so their children throughout their lives can always put their hands into Mummy’s hands in times of trouble. It is a loving legacy mothers can leave their children.”

“People with terminal illness living at home can attend our Day Units make new friends, get powerful emotional support, and often show amazing creativity. This is one of many services that Mary Potter Hospice offers to people with a terminal or life limiting illness that enables them to make the most of life. We need public financial support if we are going to keep our services free.”

ENDS

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