Pohlen project needs community support
Pohlen Foundation Trust secretary Judith Challis gives an update on the Beefing up Pohlen initiative that has seen over $30,000 raised for Pohlen Hospital’s New Wing Project.
Pohlen Hospital needs more beds now and this demand is set to increase over the next few years as our population swells and gets older. Hence the New Wing Project at Pohlen, which has been in progress for two years. The project has been a huge task for us. It is a group of dedicated volunteers ensuring the project moves forward and is completed.
This will ensure that our community has the best possible health care available. The alternative is receiving care in Waikato Hospital.
The project must be funded by the community, whether this is by funds able to be set aside by the hospital board, by the foundation actively fundraising, by philanthropic grants we seek, or by people saying to us: ‘‘This is what I can do to help’’.
Many sectors of the community have pitched in and helped and this support has been quite overwhelming.
It is timely to acknowledge the many farmers and associated businesses who have contributed to the Beefing up Pohlen initiative we have promoted over the last few months.
What a success this has been; not tried from the foundation’s perspective but wonderfully well supported never the less.
We presented our New Wing Project to this sector last November and to date we have received more than $30,000 in cash donations or from the proceeds from cull cows.
What a tremendous response and cows are still being received.
We know the drought has had a huge impact on our farmers, but if you are in a position in the future to also support this cull cow scheme please contact Elders’ John Price on 027 594 2544 or Danny O’Leary on 021 954 283.
Steve and Trish Atkinson are just two Matamata farmers who have given their support to the Beefing up Pohlen initiative.
‘‘There are a lot of committed people working on this great project,’’ Mr Atkinson said.
‘‘We are pleased to be able to play a small part in supporting this great facility that will add huge value to the community and its people.’’