MEDIA RELEASE

8 May, 2012

Mary Potter Hospice Street Collection This Week

Over 700 volunteers will be at 150 locations around Wellington, Porirua and Paraparaumu collecting for Mary Potter Hospice’s Street Collection Appeal on Friday May 11 and Saturday May 12.

The street collection is a vital fundraiser for the Hospice which needs public support to keep its services free.

“The theme of our appeal is the impact on people’s families of the loss of a loved one to a terminal illness,” says Ria Earp, Mary Potter Hospice Chief Executive. “Along with our care for people whose illness cannot be cured we offer support for their loved ones and family who are facing enormous challenges at this time of crisis.”

“Steve Joll, the breakfast radio host from ‘The Breeze’, talks in our appeal about the loss of his dad and the affect it had on him and his young family.”

“Chronic and terminal illness can strike people at any age. People in their 40s and 50s who expect to have a long life and suddenly become ill, can have a great impact on the patient and their family,” says Ria Earp.

“Mary Potter Hospice is a significant service in our community. Nearly one-in-four Wellingtonians will have some contact with us. Our services are free to everyone and we ask the public to give generously to our appeal - people will never know when they will need us.”

Mary Potter Hospice is running the Street Collection jointly with Te Omanga Hospice in the Hutt Valley. Ms Earp says Mary Potter Hospice has received support from the Dominion Post, Phantom Billstickers, Go Wellington and Valley Flyer buses, Mediaworks and the Radio Network.

“These guys have all been great. They really understand the value of Mary Potter Hospice and they have provided a huge amount of support to our street collection.”

ENDS

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