A time of remembrance with Waipuna Hospice

Christmas is a time when the loss of loved ones can be strongly felt. Waipuna Hospice, in partnership with Hospice New Zealand and Farmers, is once again giving our community the chance to remember those held dear with their Remembrance Tree Appeal.

The community is encouraged to leave a message on a Christmas tree for loved ones, remembering those who they can’t be with. In return, a donation is made which goes directly back to helping those in our community facing a life-limiting illness through the work of Waipuna Hospice.

The personal notes are a way for those grieving a loved one or missing someone abroad, leading up to what can often be a challenging festive season, to gain a little comfort while also helping Waipuna Hospice raise crucial funds to help meet a shortfall in operating costs.

"Last year, thanks to our generous community and the ongoing support from Farmers, we raised over $560000 in funds. The money raised from this campaign makes a huge contribution towards meeting our $4.25 million shortfall to keep palliative care freely accessible for our patients, and with so much uncertainty due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, our efforts this year are more important than ever,” explains Waipuna Hospice Chief Executive Officer, Richard Thurlow.

Giving voice to grief through writing a card to express how you feel can be a comforting exercise. Children can write a note to their late grandparent or parent about how they miss them or how special they were to them. A husband could remember his late wife, or a sister may write to her sibling who can no longer celebrate with her. However, it's not just about remembering someone who has died - it could be thinking of family members who live overseas or in other parts of the country that you can’t be with.

“The impact of Covid-19 on our community, and our country, is immense,” says Richard. “Many families are going to go through a sense of grief when they are unable to connect with family members this Christmas due to travel restrictions and lockdown requirements. It may be the first time that some families haven’t been together for Christmas, and that will have a greater impact than many realize. We want our Remembrance Tree campaign to bring them comfort too, and we encourage our community to not only remember their deceased but their overseas family too.”

2020 is the seventh year that Farmers’ staff and customers will join together to raise funds to keep Hospice care free of charge in every community across Aotearoa. The limited-edition Hospice bauble, which is now available to purchase for $10 at Farmers Bayfair and The Crossing, helps raise those essential funds. If previous years are anything to go by, they will sell out, so please visit your closest Farmers store to purchase one before it’s too late.

This year’s bauble is Comfort by Hospice, which is inspired by the wraparound care and compassionate support Hospice services provide to patients and their whānau.

Comfort by Hospice was inspired by a group of people in Christchurch who generously shared their experience of their loved one’s death, supported by Hospice. While each person’s situation was unique to them and their family and whānau – they were united by the guidance Hospice provided, the empathy and understanding, and the clinical expertise of the Hospice team that allowed good memories to be possible.

“Hospice surrounded us with love, we felt wrapped in compassion and comfort. What a gift,” a participant reflected.

Remembrance trees will be set up in Farmers stores from 19th November, and community-based remembrance tree sites will start from the 27th November. Please donate generously, and leave a loving message for someone you can’t be with this Christmas. All donations made in the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty community, including the sales of the Christmas Baubles at local Farmers stores, stay in this region and are given directly to Waipuna Hospice.