Hospices around New Zealand have benefited from nearly $50,000 in specialised equipment, thanks to the 2022 grants provided by the Harcourts Foundation and its supporting business owners.
The $49,408 in grants, have been distributed to 11 hospices nationwide, covering costs for items ranging from beds and mattresses to syringe drivers and shower commodes.
Hospice Southland, who received a grant for a shower commode, says a simple shower can make a huge difference.
“Thank you, Harcourts Foundation, for your support of Hospice Southland’s goal of enhancing our patients’ quality of life. Many times, the simplest everyday activity can become a huge challenge for our patients and their whanau and families. When a simple shower becomes a daunting prospect due to pain on moving, weakness, fatigue or shortness of breath, a commode chair such as Harcourts is helping us purchase is worth its weight in gold. It allows the patient to be comfortable and to relax, as well as making it easier for our nurses to deliver their care.”
Hospice West Auckland, who received a grant for two syringe drivers, highlight how important this equipment is for people’s quality of life.
“Syringe drivers can be a vital piece of equipment in palliative care: “It enabled me to stay at home and not have to go to hospital. My vomiting and pain weren’t stopping but with the syringe driver I was finally able to get those symptoms under control.” We are grateful to the Hospice NZ Grants Programme, supported by Harcourts, for allowing us to continue to provide comfort and relief to our patients in need.”
Hospice NZ chief executive Wayne Naylor says the Harcourts Foundation grants make a valuable contribution to hospices around Aotearoa.
“Every year, hospices around Aotearoa New Zealand rely on grants and fundraising to purchase much needed equipment to support the care of people with a terminal illness. The continued support of Harcourts makes this just a little bit easier by funding an annual grant programme through Hospice New Zealand. This year, Harcourts has supported eleven hospices with $50,000 to buy critical items such as diagnostic equipment, pain relieving syringe pumps, hospital style beds and chairs. This equipment helps keep people at home with whānau and friends and lets them enjoy life surrounded by the things and people they love.”
The 2022 grants have been allocated to:
- Arohanui Hospice, Palmerston North ($5000) for one mobile digital screen.
- Dove Hospice, Auckland, ($5,000) for one body therapy bed and three magnetic glass whiteboards.
- Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty, Whakatane ($5,000) for four pulse oximeters, three overbed poles, three sphygmomanometers, two propelled commode sliding footplate, two mattress overlays and, three heal protectors.
- Hospice Marlborough, Blenheim ($3,492) for two syringe driver lock boxes, two bed extension kits, one mattress overlay and cover and, one shower commode and soft seat.
- Hospice Mid-Canterbury, Ashburton ($4,950.00) for two HP ProBooks.
- Hospice Southland, Invercargill ($3,343.00) for one shower commode.
- Hospice West Auckland, Auckland ($5,188.00) for two syringe drivers and lockboxes.
- Mercy Hospice, Auckland ($2,594.00) for one syringe driver and lockbox.
- Nelson Tasman Hospice, Nelson ($4,951.00) for one transport bed, four bed levers, four bed handset holders, and one weighted stuffed animal.
- Nurse Maude Hospice, Christchurch ($4.890) for two syringe drivers.
- Rotorua Community Hospice, Rotorua ($5,000) for two syringe drivers and lockboxes.
More about the Harcourts grant programme.
Harcourts NZ managing director Bryan Thomson says:
“It’s an extra-special honour to work together with Hospice NZ on their fundraising programme… We have a huge amount of respect for what Hospice achieves in the community, and our entire team supports the benefits that it gives to anyone who needs it.”
Harcourts launched Harcourts Foundation in 2008 to provide support that helps, grows and enriches New Zealand’s communities. With 100% of the funds raised going straight to the charities who need it most, Harcourts has been able to provide grants totalling more than $1.1 million in New Zealand to support local community groups. Find out more about the Harcourts Foundation here.
The Hospice NZ Grants programme, which provides all member hospices with the opportunity to purchase much needed equipment, directly supports hospices from the Far North to the deep South to continue their work, enabling people to live every moment in whatever way is important to them. More than $275,000 has been donated to date.
