Sometimes, it is the connections that can make all the difference.

After realising that the Nelson Tasman Hospice needed stairs for their physiotherapist, but that they were very expensive, one local person made a phone call to another – a local engineering firm, who were only too happy to help. With 240 patients receiving Hospice care each month, there are not many people that haven’t been touched by the care and service of Hospice, so for local engineering firm FPS, helping was an easy decision – even if this type of engineering isn’t their usual day at the office.   

Gary Allen, director, sales engineer and system designer from FPS – a hydraulic and pneumatic engineering company in Port Nelson – got the ball in motion, designing the stairs to the requirements of the Hospice team. And last week they got delivered, by Owen Little, one of FPS’ talented system design engineers and Chris Gray, FPS sales manager after being made by FPS fabrication specialists Steven Bill and Nick.  

As renowned motion and control engineers working across many of New Zealand’s fishing and aquaculture fleets, out on the forestry skid site, at industrial sites around the region and even on drill rigs in Antarctica – while their work is varied, physio rehab stairs weren’t their usual task.  

When Nelson Tasman Hospice had the call that FPS would be happy to make & supply the stairs, Donna Ching-Tregidga, Head of Supporter Engagement & Income Development, was thrilled to be able to let Irvina Koefoed, the hospice physiotherapist, know. “As a charitable trust we currently receive just over half of our operational costs from government funding. As a result, a funding shortfall of approximately $3.5 million needs to be fundraised for each year. Support like this is invaluable and enables us to continue providing free specialist palliative care across the region.” 

Irvina says “Having a set of stairs to assess patients before returning to their home is a crucial part of discharge planning. Due to not having any internal steps in the building, carrying out this assessment was challenging. A set of stairs like these were way too expensive for Hospice to purchase, costing thousands of dollars. Having these custom made and delivered by the incredible team at FPS, has been a dream come true for me. And this will tremendously benefit our patients for a safe discharge home.” 

“There are so many ways we can help our Hospice, this is just one of them. Hospice has a special place in many peoples lives and the work they do is priceless. It’s the least we could do.” Owen Little, FPS.  

Pictured: Chris Gray, FPS Sales Manager and Owen Little, FPS sales engineer and systems designer with Irvina Koefoed, Hospice Physiotherapist and Ana Fierek, Marketing & Engagement Lead at Nelson Tasman Hospice.  

Pictured: Chris Gray, FPS Sales Manager with Irvina Koefoed, Hospice Physiotherapist and Owen Little, FPS sales engineer and systems designer with the stairs in place in the in-patient unit at Nelson Tasman Hospice.