Out-of-the-box fundraiser raises hundreds for Nelson Tasman Hospice

Claudia Forts Fortaleza decorates the garden at her house in spooky décor for one night a year on Halloween and when you arrive, you are welcomed to the lawn by Claudia herself in fancy dress. This out-of-the-box event is not your typical Nelson Tasman Hospice Fundraiser.  

Describing her event as fun, interactive and entertaining, Claudia uses her creativity and bubbly personality to bring her community together for a good cause. This family-centered event has a personal tie to Claudia’s own family. Having grieved the loss of nine family members since 2020, Claudia decided to make her annual Halloween House a fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice in 2022 in memory of her loved ones.  

Claudia has previously cared for patients on palliative care and it means a lot to her to be able to contribute to Nelson Tasman Hospice as a fundraiser. Claudia received support from Hospice during hard times with her local whānau and says, “fundraising for Nelson Tasman Hospice is my way of giving back blessings”. 

Nelson Tasman Hospice’s services are free to patients and are funded to approximately 52% of their operational costs by Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough, leaving around $3.5M a year (or around $9,600 a day) to be raised from our community. Each dollar raised locally stays in our community and supports people across the region when they are at their most vulnerable. 

Having seen the supportive community response, with $417 raised by the 2022 Nelson Tasman Hospice fundraiser, Claudia decided to run her 2023 Halloween House as a fundraiser too. It more than doubled her previous years funds raised, making $988.60 in one evening!  

Claudia believes that being a part of a community is important and creating your own event is beneficial for all parties involved. She says, “…doing something you love that is meaningful and reaching out to the community to support one common goal; this gives me a kind of joy that money can’t buy anywhere.” If you think you could create an event to help fundraise for Nelson Tasman Hospice, we would love you to join our compassionate community. Please contact fundraising@nelsontasmanhospice.org.nz.