Barfoot and Thompson Pledge to match funds
Mercy Hospice has long recognised and celebrated the changing make-up of its patients, reflecting New Zealand’s multi-cultural society.
Their latest fundraising event, ‘Unite,’ has been two years in the planning but CEO Paul Couper said that with the recent attacks on two Mosques in Christchurch, ‘Unite’ couldn’t be more relevant, with funds raised benefiting the families affected, as well as Mercy Hospice.
Big-hearted gesture
“Hospice sponsor Barfoot & Thompson have generously agreed to match funds raised from any event ticket purchased plus donations given to Mercy Hospice on the day. This big-hearted gesture means so much and speaks volumes of how we continue to respond to this terrorist attack with love not hate,” he said.
Mr Couper said that the concept behind ‘Unite’ is to get Kiwis together.
“It is about recognising and celebrating the different cultures that make up our beautiful country. While it has been on our event calendar for many months, the timing will enable New Zealanders another opportunity to come together, following the tragedy in Christchurch on March 15, 2019. ‘Unite’ is a celebration of ‘You are us,’ which we have seen so strongly on social media and on posters and cards at various memorials in New Zealand.”
Instant decision
Barfoot & Thompson Managing Director Peter Thompson said that the decision to match funds for Christchurch was made instantaneously.
“When Mercy Hospice approached us, we didn’t need a meeting to decide, we just said ‘Yes!’ because it was absolutely the right thing to do. We have been supporters of Mercy Hospice for a number of years; the service they provide is so important for our community. In fact, Barfoot and Thompson feel very humbled to be able to help both Hospice and the families in Christchurch affected by this horrific tragedy,” he said.
Family Event
‘Unite’ is a family event that involves a 3.5 kilometre walk around the Auckland Domain.
Following the walk there will be music, entertainment and food stalls representative of different nationalities. Currently, Mercy Hospice has a special ticket price of $20 that includes entry to the event (one adult and one child), a T-shirt, training plans and a goodie bag,
Mr Couper said that Mercy Hospice cares for anyone with a life-limiting illness within the Auckland District Health Board area. Annually they raise $4 million, which makes up 40% of the funding required to provide the services, at no cost to patients and their families.
Expert palliative care
“We are experts in palliative care, and we are here to help. Thanks to the generosity of our community, year after year, we provide this service at no cost. Hospice supports anyone, in our area, with a life-limiting illness regardless of age, ethnicity, means or religion. We truly hope the Auckland Domain will be overflowing for our ‘Unite’ event on April 7, 2019, helping to raise much needed funds for Mercy Hospice, to celebrate our diversity by coming together while also raising money for Christchurch,” he said.
For tickets, please visit
https://mercyhospice.org.nz/product/’Unite’-walk-together-for-mercy-hospice/
What: ‘Unite’ by Mercy Hospice
Where: Auckland Domain
When: Sunday, April 7 at 1 pm
