Hospice shelves bare

It’s the beginning of winter and the shelves are bare at Hospice West Auckland’s distribution centre.

The charity is putting an urgent call out to the community to donate any unwanted, re-sellable goods in order to restock their hospice shops.

They are especially in need of winter clothing, heaters, warm linen and furniture.

Hospice West Auckland retail and sales operations manager Natasha Plunkett says after the Christmas rush, donations have been ‘‘particularly quiet’’ leading up to winter.

‘‘With school holidays coming up we are hoping some people will have time to have a clean out.

‘‘Our stores are for all kinds of people but if we can’t keep up with our sales and keep our stores stocked, we can’t keep up with that social need and provide revenue to hospice services.’’

Hospice West Auckland relies on fundraising from its five stores and TradeMe page to provide its services - palliative care, social care, art and music therapy - to people at the end of their lives.

Donations can be left at any hospice store including the Clark Rd shop in Hobsonville during their or call 0508 4 HOSPICE (0508 4 46 7742) to arrange a collection at a time that suits you.

Goods can also be dropped at their Henderson, Te Atatu, New Lynn or Helensville stores.

The hospice is also always in need of volunteers. All volunteers attend an orientation to hospice programme and specialist training is provided.