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Funky t-shirts aid hospice

March 2007.- Pull on a t-shirt and help support hospice.

Hospice partner House of Travel and clothing giant Ezibuy are producing hospice t-shirts and polos for men and women.

They come in two funky designs in either black or white but best of all up to $10 from every t-shirt goes to a hospice of the buyer's choice.

One design is based around the kowhai flower, part of Hospice New Zealand's logo. The other is a house, which represents the physical side of hospice.

So far more than 2000 t-shirts have been sold, raising much-needed funds for hospices throughout the country.

The t-shirts are the result of a partnership between hospice and House of Travel which began in 2005.

Many hospices are looking to introduce the t-shirts as uniforms while almost all 1100 House of Travel employees own one, wearing them on hospice volunteer days or casual Fridays.

"Many people comment on them, creating a fantastic opportunity to talk about hospice," says House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas.

"The more of us that wear the t-shirts the more people will associate them with hospice," he says.

The public can buy t-shirts by visiting www.ezibuyhospice.co.nz.

While the t-shirts help to raise much-needed funds for hospices, the biggest fundraiser is the annual national appeal held each May.

During May people can hold a Time to Remember event or make a donation in the envelope when it is delivered to all households between May 14-20.

People keen to hold a dinner party, brunch, lunch - anything involving food - need to register by visiting www.time-to-remember.org.nz or by phoning their local hospice. They will be sent a commemorative host album full of recipes by celebrity chef and hospice ambassador Jo Seagar, as well as invitations.

Guests are asked to make a donation and all money raised goes to hospice to ensure care remains free for all New Zealanders.

The hospices aim to raise more than $650,000 during the month. Last year's appeal was so successful it raised more than the targeted $500,000.

All of the country's hospices come under the Hospice New Zealand umbrella and provide free palliative care to people living with terminal illness, while also supporting family/whanau and friends.

Hospices are partially Government funded but rely heavily on community fundraising to cover running costs.

"There are many people in our community in need of free hospice care," says Hospice New Zealand chief executive Mary Schumacher.

"You only have to visit a hospice or speak to someone with a hospice connection to see the impact this specialist care has on patients, their families/whanau and friends. It really helps them to make the most of life."

For more details about hospice visit www.hospice.org.nz or call your local hospice.