Cranford set for another sold-out boost

Cranford Hospice is well set for another big six-figure slice of funding with the “sold out” sign only a few days away from being posted for the springtime Hospice Holly Trail.

The biennial event was kicked off in 2000 by a group of philanthropic women to raise funds for Cranford Hospice.

“There are only about 50 or so tickets left,” convener and event coordinator KK Marffy said of the 2500 allocation which went on sale via the Holly Trail website in early June.

“It generally sells out quite quickly but it’s getting earlier and earlier each time.”

The 2018 event will be its 10th anniversary and is certainly set to equal or exceed the 2016 trail total of about $275,000.

All up, Cranford Hospice has seen more than $1.5 million arrive in funding from the three-day trail.

It will be staged, like past years, in November when the 10 homes and their surroundings for the self-drive event would be at their spring-like best.

Marffy said there were 10 private homes on the visit list which ticketholders would only find out about in late October.

“The homes are kept secret to allow an element of surprise. A good mix of contemporary and traditional and all within a 30-minute drive from the Havelock North centre.”

To mark the 10th anniversary Hospice Holly Trail there would be some special touches.

The trail’s traditional Spring Fete, which for a donation of $5 (for Cranford) is open to the general public, will be staged at the Village Green in Havelock North for the first time.

It will feature crafts and fine foods over the three trail days of November 8 to November 10.

There will also be an opening night “Toast to the Tenth Trail” gathering at the Birdwoods Gallery where the Prima Volta singers will be among the entertainment.

There had been plenty of interest from people outside the region with a good number from Auckland and Wellington heading here, along with many from the South Island.

The trail had also previously attracted groups from Australia, and that would likely be the case again.

Marffy said although demand was always high, the 2500 ticket cap would remain because increasing it could create potential logistical problems.

“If anyone wants to come along this year, they will have to be quick.”