Community-run event Fabric-a-brac has reached a $250,000 milestone in its fundraising efforts for Hospice care in New Zealand, becoming the longest-continuously-running community fundraiser for the charity in New Zealand.

Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor says the milestone reflects the generosity and commitment of the communities behind the event.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the volunteers and communities behind Fabric-a-brac who have raised this remarkable $250,000 for hospice care around Aotearoa. Community-led initiatives like this reflect the heart of hospice, people coming together to support others with compassion and generosity. Its steady commitment to raising funds for the work we do has seen Fabric-a-brac become the longest continuously running community fundraiser for hospices in New Zealand, and that’s something amazing. Community fundraising like this is vital, helping ensure hospices can continue providing compassionate care and support for people and their whānau when they need it most.”

It is a ‘things to make things market - focused on fabric and sewing-related items’. It started in 2009, and is now held at eleven locations around New Zealand. It is 100% volunteer-run, with all profits from the events going to the local hospice.The event supports Hospice after the founder’s father spent time there in 2003.

“We are delighted to have been able to make this kind of contribution to the work that Hospice does in New Zealand,” says the founder Josie Brennan. “In a world increasingly focused on the individual, I think the thread connecting us both is our focus on community and people.”

“Just like Hospice, Fabric-a-brac is about connections. Connections in a family; from this generation to mothers or grandmothers who sewed, taught us to sew and are often no longer here (many times having spent time with hospice). Stallholders selling their sewing stashes like this want to pass their beloved fabric to someone who will treasure it and who will know its story.”

From steam punk aficionados, to home sewists, children and design students, the event brings together sewists and creatives who love and value textiles. It also has a sustainability core - helping fabric and sewing items find new owners to turn them into new creations, but with the knowledge of the ‘story’ behind the fabric.

“We just love the event, and are stoked that we can contribute to help this fantastic organisation.”

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