(Tuesday, 31 January 2024)
Thanks to the team at Farmers Blenheim and our amazing Marlborough community, together we raised a total of $16,546 for Hospice Marlborough!
Hospices across the country have been overwhelmed by the generous support of Farmers stores and customers in the lead up to Christmas. The annual Farmers Christmas Campaign has raised just under $932,000 for hospices this year.
Over 15,000 limited edition Christmas baubles were sold, with Farmers donating the full $15.99 from every purchase. Farmers customers were also able to donate via a ‘Tree of Remembrance’ placed in each store, with 100% of the donations from your local store going to your local hospice.
In addition to the main campaign, each store held their own fundraising activities. Hospice Marlborough extend heartfelt thanks to Lysa, Deepak and their team at our local Farmers Blenheim for their incredible efforts in this regard from fun activities like ‘Dress Up & Donate’ to ‘Pie Your Manager’ and helping to further raise awareness of the work Hospice Marlborough do. As Events and Engagement Lead Leigh Somerville says, “The support of our local Farmers was phenomenal over this period, as was the response from our wonderful community. The campaign would not have been successful as it was without the stellar efforts of the team and the generosity of our community. The entire team at Hospice Marlborough are incredibly grateful for this support”.
Wayne Naylor, Te Kahu Pairuri o Aotearoa / Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive says, “The generosity of Farmers customers and the support of Farmers stores and staff is once again, astounding. Thanks to these incredible efforts hospice care can remain available and free for all those who need it. The Farmers Christmas Charity Campaign brings much needed financial support to the hospices in the same community that raised the funds. To know that over $930,000 has been raised through donations and the sale of the special Christmas bauble is just incredible and we are extremely grateful.”
Now in its tenth year, the Farmers Christmas Campaign has raised in full nearly $8M, helping to ensure anyone with a life-limiting illness can access hospice care, so they can live life well until the end.
“For the people of Marlborough, the donation of $16,546 will help us sustain our mission of providing compassionate, specialized care to individuals and their families during one of life’s most challenging periods. It not only further enables us to fund specialized programs and services that enhance the quality of care provided, it’s also an investment in the well-being and comfort of your community members when they need it most” reflects Hospice Marlborough CEO, Carole Crawford.
“Once again, the Farmers Blenheim team have been incredible ambassadors for Hospice Marlborough, not only helping to raise funds, but also helping our community to better understand the work we do. The awareness raised that comes from partnering with Farmers is invaluable and the enthusiasm and commitment from all staff and our wider community has contributed to this amazing result, thank you so much”.
Michael Power, Chief Financial Officer of Farmers says, “At Farmers we are extremely proud of the amount raised during our Christmas hospice campaign through a combined effort and generous donations made by our customers, our staff, and our business. Farmers has been at the heart of New Zealand communities for over 110 years. We are delighted to make a positive difference in our communities through our long-standing relationship with Hospice”.
About Hospice
- Each year, New Zealand hospice services provide care and support for more than 19,000 people and their families and carers.
- Hospice is a philosophy of care, not just a building – most people are cared for in their own home.
- Hospice care encompasses the whole person – not just their physical needs, but also their emotional, spiritual, and social needs. This care extends beyond the person who is unwell to also include their family and whānau. Support is available during an illness and in bereavement.
- Irrespective of where a person lives, this philosophy of care does not change, and everything provided is free of charge. It does however cost a lot to provide these services. In 2021-2022, hospice services cost over $186 million nationally.
- As an essential health service provider, hospice services receive the majority of funding from the Government; but financial support from the community is essential to meet the shortfall – each year hospice services need to fundraise more than $94 million nationally.
About Farmers
Farmers is a Kiwi icon, a much-loved NZ retailer since 1909. What started as a mail order company quickly grew to become NZ’s leading department store renowned for quality, customer service and value for money.
Farmers today is a thriving, modern department store, with a large range of contemporary home and fashion merchandise. Proudly Kiwi owned, Farmers operates in 59 department stores in rural and city locations around the country.