Hands Up For Hospice

The Golden Bay Lions Club was chartered in 1964 and has been helping locals ever since! Donating $2850 to Nelson Tasman Hospice to purchase a syringe driver, is just the latest way they have supported Golden Bay residents.

A syringe driver is a small, battery-powered pump that delivers medication from a syringe at a constant rate throughout the day and night. This ensures that people can self-manage their pain medication, providing fast pain relief as required. Although syringe drivers can be useful at different times, they are often used in the last few days and weeks of a person’s life. When someone is close to death, they often stop being able to swallow medicines, or their body stops being able to absorb them properly. A syringe driver is often the best way to give them medicines to help them feel more comfortable.

The Golden Bay Lions Club currently have 30 members and hold a variety of fundraising events each year. For example, cutting firewood for raffles, pickling 350 – 400kgs of onions each year, selling new potatoes around Christmas, selling sheep poo for fertiliser and recently they have also started hosting bingo nights. The group get together for a good cause but also enjoy the camaraderie.

Julie Langford, President, who has been a member of the club for 18 years, and Pam Gardiner, Secretary, who has been a member for 16 years, were interviewed for this article. They both said that while they have a good balance of male & female members, it would be nice to have a few new younger members join who might be able to help with some of the more physical tasks such as the firewood chopping.

Julie and Pam are passionate about helping those in need in the community and the Golden Bay Lions help numerous organisations, groups and individuals as well as helping to fund students wishing to gain a range of experiences or further education. When Pam noticed the syringe driver for Golden Bay listed in the latest hospice newsletter, she brought it to the attention of the committee and they moved at their last meeting to fund the device.

The Golden Bay Lions fundraised for a specialised air mattress in 2021 to be used in Golden Bay for palliative care patients and were touched to receive a letter from the wife of a patient thanking them for the difference this made to their loved one’s last days.

Pam, as well as being part of the Lions, also volunteers and works at the Hospice Shop in Tākaka and experienced first-hand the service when her mother died in Hospice care about 14 years ago. Pam remembers being amazed at the seamless transition between care from the Hospice team over the hill in Richmond where she was being cared for in her own home, to Golden Bay when her mum was being looked after at Pam’s place. “I just know the worth of Hospice. We really appreciated the help here and there.”

Golden Bay Community Health (GBCH) as lead provider, in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Hospice, have 37 points of contact with Golden Bay residents, and their families, who are receiving in-home palliative care every month.

Nelson Tasman Hospice services provided are free, however only 45% of operating costs are funded by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand | Nelson Marlborough. This leaves 55%, or $3.5 million of fundraising each year. The GBCH nursing team has identified some equipment that is urgently required for patients on Hospice services, to supplement what is already available. This equipment includes a syringe driver and a medical transport bed (for in home care). The cost for this equipment will be circa $7,000. Any additional funds raised will go back in to supporting the funding shortfall we have for Hospice services in the community.

There is currently a fundraising drive on in Golden Bay to raise funds to purchase this equipment, details on how to donate can be found at the end of this article.

Lions Clubs International have the mission to serve. Their clubs are places where individuals join together to give their valuable time and effort to improving their communities, and the world. Julie, Pam and all of the club members demonstrate this in their commitment to Golden Bay and the people that call it home. Nelson Tasman Hospice are thankful for the support given by this amazing group of people and that the Golden Bay Lions are part of our compassionate community, giving locals the tools to live well until they leave well.

How you can donate:

– Pop into one of the following businesses to leave your donation in one of the donation boxes

NBS Takaka
Hammer Hardware
Tākaka Hospice Shop
Golden Bay Pharmacy
TradeZone
Tinky’s Tavern – Collingwood
The Pohara General Store
The Wholemeal Café
Molly B’s
Fresh Choice

– Donate online and reference “Golden Bay” when making your donation

The Hospice philosophy of care is a model that provides palliative care for people of all ages facing a life-limiting condition. It is the provision of caring, dignified support and services which allows individuals to live the way they want in the time they have left. Hospice also works with families/whānau and caregivers to support the patient, while taking care of themselves.

Golden Bay Community Health (GBCH) as lead provider, in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Hospice, have 37 points of contact with Golden Bay residents, and their families, who are receiving in-home palliative care every month.

Pete Greer’s partner Kris Campbell died at their Onekaka home in December 2021. He told us about their involvement with GBCH and Nelson Tasman Hospice.

“Our experience with the local nursing staff and with the Hospice doctor was truly wonderful.  Honesty, compassion, wisdom and gentle humour are some words that spring to mind.

Nursing equipment that miraculously appeared, enough to furnish a mini ward, made caring for Kris so much easier. All came from Hospice.

We got to the stage of eagerly awaiting nurse Monika’s visits and truly appreciated the support and direction she gave us.”

Nelson Tasman Hospice services provided are free, however only 45% of operating costs are funded by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand | Nelson Marlborough. This leaves 55%, or $3.5 million of fundraising each year. With this in mind, Pete decided to ask for donations in lieu of flowers at Kris’s funeral “Our target was to purchase a light wheelchair. Two were purchased!” These wheelchairs have been in use in Golden Bay ever since.

There is limited equipment available in the Bay, which is delivered by hospice volunteer, John Campbell, to people’s homes. The GBCH nursing team has identified some equipment that is urgently required for patients on hospice services, to supplement what is already available. This equipment includes a syringe driver (meaning that people can self-manage their pain medication, providing fast pain relief as required) and a medical transport bed (for in home care). The cost for this equipment will be circa $7,000. Any additional funds raised will go back in to supporting the funding shortfall we have for hospice services in the community. When we mentioned this need to Pete he immediately topped up the remining money in the ‘Kris Campbell Memorial Fund’ to $1000, to kickstart this fundraising in Golden Bay.

TradeZone & Waitapu Engineering have come on board with a $1000 donation and the Golden Bay Lions have also donated $2850 to the cause.

Keep an eye out on social media, and www.nelsonhospice.org.nz, over the coming weeks for stories about Golden Bay locals and their connection with Hospice.

The question now is, will you donate over the next 3 weeks to this appeal to help Golden Bay locals live well, until they leave well?

How you can donate:

– TradeZone & Waitapu Engineering will be holding a sausage sizzle at the Village Market tomorrow,  15^th of April with all proceeds going to the cause, buy a sausage & leave a donation in the bucket!

– Pop into one of the following businesses to leave your donation in one of the donation boxes

NBS Takaka
Hammer Hardware
Tākaka Hospice Shop
Golden Bay Pharmacy
TradeZone
Tinky’s Tavern – Collingwood
The Pohara General Store
The Wholemeal Café
Molly B’s
Fresh Choice

– Donate online and reference “Golden Bay” when making your donation

John Campbell has been volunteering for Nelson Tasman Hospice for 16 years now, delivering beds and air mattresses all over Golden Bay. He can’t remember how he got started but he’s pretty sure that his wife Karen, who was a district nurse (DN) for years, would have had something to do with it. “More than likely, it would have been, you know, you’ve got a van… and I was very pleased to help.”

John headed over the hill for volunteer and bed-handling training with the facilities manager at Nelson Tasman Hospice and has been helping local families ever since.

“I was initially a bit worried. How do I deal with people who are in one of the most difficult times of their life? You know the wife or the husbands, they know what’s around the corner – that there’s going to be a death. But people have always been so reassured by the help and grateful. You go in there and the Occupational Therapist’s been and there’s all this gear the family need that’s been supplied. The DNs are visiting too, every second, or every day, and of course, they’ve got halos – they’re up there with the angels, so delivering the bed is never a difficult task. You go in and show them how the bed works, and I’ll often take an air mattress in, which is installed by the DNs the following day. It’s such a good team.”

The teamwork that happens in rural areas across New Zealand is one that we often take for granted, but it’s something that doesn’t just happen. In Golden Bay palliative care is provided by Golden Bay Community Health (GBCH) as the lead provider, in collaboration with Nelson Tasman Hospice. In cases like the one above the Occupational Therapist and DN are part of the local GBCH team and along with the local GPs are actively supported with specialist clinical oversight provided by the Nelson Tasman Hospice team; meaning that each palliative patient and whānau in Golden Bay have a team of support people by their side. Patients are also visited by a Hospice specialist palliative care doctor in their homes and the specialist equipment, such as the bed and air mattress, is managed and maintained by Nelson Tasman Hospice.  In addition, if required, Golden Bay patients have access to the Specialist Palliative Care Unit (SPCU) on Suffolk Road in Stoke, Nelson.

There’s definitely the feeling of being part of the team. John says that by the time he is part of the proceedings, “There’s already this whole vibe going. Like the hospital nurses, DNs, doctors, specialists from over the hill, and all kinds of people that have been involved. Always family members around, and then I bring the bed. You know, I can understand what a help it is. Just such a little thing like having a specialist bed here. It’s comfortable. You know, save them regularly hurting their back shifting a person around and getting grumpy.”

John enjoys knowing that when he delivers a bed it really makes a difference to the quality of life of the patient, and that of their loved ones who are caring for them in their homes.

“The difference it makes to a person who’s unwell and stressed and worried. They can lie in this bed that’s comfortable, and they don’t have to ask to be turned over or lifted or anything like that. They can do it all themselves. The bed can be moved around out to the window to look out at Collingwood or wherever they are, with a bit of luck. And when the time comes, I just get a message to say could I pick the bed up, at that point I know they don’t want to see it anymore. So, I’m very happy to take it away.”

The amount of time the role takes is minimal, it is consistent, but John says it just ticks along. He is contacted whenever a bed is required and then drives to the hospital to collect the equipment with his van. Each bed is in 17 pieces, so the training given by the team in Nelson is vital. “It’s like having a Meccano set of your own – you get all these bits and pieces and then how to fit it into your own van, which is a bit of a struggle.” But after 16 years, he’s now got it down to fine art.

Nelson Tasman Hospice services provided are free, however, only 45% of operating costs are funded by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand | Nelson Marlborough. This leaves 55% or $3.5 million of fundraising each year. The GBCH nursing team has identified some equipment that is urgently required for patients on hospice services, to supplement what is already available. This equipment includes a syringe driver (meaning that people can self-manage their pain medication, providing fast pain relief as required) and a medical transport bed (for in-home care). The cost for this equipment will be circa $7,000. Any additional funds raised will go back into supporting the funding shortfall we have for hospice services in the community.

There is currently a fundraising drive in Golden Bay to see whether the money can be raised to purchase this equipment, details on how to donate can be found at the end of this article.

Especially in Golden Bay, often people live in lovely places and John sets the bed up somewhere where people are part of the comings and goings and everyday life. The bed is mobile so can be easily moved to catch the sun or look out over the view. Truly, a practical way to support people to live well, until they leave well.

Nelson Tasman Hospice would love to hear from anyone in Golden Bay that might be interested in assisting deliver beds & air mattresses as a relief person when John may be away. Full training would be provided, but you would need to have your own van for transport.  For further information contact our Volunteer Programme Manager, Krisca Gould on 03 546 3912 or Krisca.gould@nelsonhospice.org.nz

How you can donate:

– Pop into one of the following businesses to leave your donation in one of the donation boxes

NBS Takaka
Hammer Hardware
Tākaka Hospice Shop
Golden Bay Pharmacy
TradeZone
Tinky’s Tavern – Collingwood
The Pohara General Store
The Wholemeal Café
Molly B’s
Fresh Choice

– Donate online and reference “Golden Bay” when making your donation

“Get out there. Do it!” is what Sam Nicholls told us when he was asked what he would like others to know about volunteering for Nelson Tasman Hospice. We recently met with Sam and his grandparents Jenny & Malcolm Reid who also volunteer for Nelson Tasman Hospice to find out why they choose to give their time to hospice. 

Jenny and Malcolm started volunteering for Nelson Tasman Hospice in 2011. Jenny’s Mum and Dad both had access to hospice services in Motueka when they died in 2007 and 2010, respectively. When the Reid’s were sent a pamphlet asking for volunteers for raffles Jenny says “We’ve done a lot on school committees and all that. So, we went to Mary (Garner, Nelson Tasman Hospice Volunteer Coordinator) and from then on, we’ve just done it.” They sell raffle tickets outside Nelson City New World for two hours, once a month, with all proceeds coming to the Hospice, and every December they give time to fundraise with Trees of Remembrance.  

Jenny says that the Hospice care her parents received was brilliant, and they were so thankful that both of her parents were able to die in their own home. “The empathy the staff show towards people, it’s unparalleled. It’s just really lovely.” Malcolm says as he remembers having to phone Hospice one night at 2am with an issue and being told to put the outside light on and someone would be there as soon as possible. “And sure enough, in next to no time the nurse was there. They fixed it up, made sure Dad was comfortable, then told us to put the kettle on and sat with us to have a cup of tea.”  

After experiencing the care that they did, it was an easy decision for them to volunteer some of their time. As Malcolm says, “Pensioners don’t have any money, but they’ve got time. And time is valuable to an organisation like yours.” In fact, our volunteers donated an incredible total of over 40,000 hours in the last financial year.  

Sam remembers his great grandparents being in Hospice care, as well as his ex-mother-in-law dying in the Specialist Palliative Care Unit (SPCU) at Suffolk Road four years ago. He says that the care given in both experiences was just amazing. He has volunteered on the Dancing for a Cause Trust for the past 6 years as the Production Manager, pulling together the whole show and making sure it all goes smoothly on the big night. Dancing for a Cause is the major fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice, happening biannually, with the event happening again this year on the 27th of May. The last event in 2021, raised a whopping $248,000!

This past Christmas Sam also decorated his house with lights as part of the Nelson Tasman Christmas Lights and asked for donations for Hospice from the people going through the property. His 5-year-old son, Seth, was very happy to help, kicking off his volunteering service early.  

“I watched Hospice with my great grandparents, and Seth’s nana, and you were so amazing. So, I felt that giving something back would be the right thing to do.” Sam says that he thinks it is important for people to know that they can help Hospice by volunteering. It doesn’t have to be a cash donation, there are so many ways to help “behind the scenes.” When asked why he thinks that about 85% of our volunteers are female, he thinks it is just that people just aren’t aware that we need the help.  

Volunteers enhance hospice services in so many ways. Along with their time comes the skills and knowledge that adds additional value to Nelson Tasman Hospice across the region. Our 500+ volunteers work in a variety of roles from volunteering with patients, to task-oriented jobs, to those raising the necessary funds to help bridge the gap with our annual shortfall of $3.5 million.  

“We find it’s good for us because it gets us out of the house. And it’s something we can do together.” Malcolm says.

Hospice isn’t the only organisation this family volunteers for. Malcolm and Jenny give their time to two other charities. Sam’s father also volunteers for two different local organisations, and his brother has helped with Dancing for a Cause in the past too. This family obviously have a strong volunteering gene, which we are very thankful for! 

Every year, pandemics permitting, Nelson Tasman Hospice holds a Volunteer Garden Party as a way to say Thank You to the more than 500 volunteers who give their time and expertise to the organisation. Volunteers are presented with long service awards and are hand served refreshments by Hospice staff to show our appreciation for all that they do.

We had a beautiful afternoon for the garden party last week with over 130 volunteers attending the event. 65 volunteers received their 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 year, long-service awards. The garden party was held in the front garden of Nelson Tasman Hospice at Suffolk Road.

Volunteers enhance hospice services in so many ways. Along with their time comes the skills and knowledge that adds additional value to Nelson Tasman Hospice across the region. Our volunteers work in a variety of roles from volunteering with patients, to task-oriented jobs, to those raising the necessary funds to help bridge the gap with our annual shortfall of $3.5 million.

Throughout the year volunteers are invited to coffee mornings and other small events with the other volunteers doing the same types of roles, but this Annual Volunteer Garden Party is the only time where all of the volunteers have the chance to come together in one place.

We genuinely appreciate the gift of time and talent from all Hospice volunteers. It is a privilege to have such a willing and dedicated team.

A special mention and Thank You to NBS, the major sponsor of the Garden Party.

We had support from 3T’s catering, Continental Event Hire, Gravity Events, and Name Plate Engravers. The Nelson Guild of Woodworkers supplied us with beautiful cheeseboards for 20+ years recipients.

Also, a big thank you to David Chadwick photography for again supporting the event.

Click here to head over to Facebook to see more photos!

Introducing Emma Silke-French, Chair of Dancing For a Cause Trust Committee.

What are you most excited about for event night on the 27th of May 2023?

I LOVE watching all the contestants finally get to show their friends and family what they have spent months working so hard on. I always have a little tear in my eye watching them; a proud teacher moment for sure.

Often, we have been through a lot of emotions in the process, so watching them give it everything on the dance floor is very special.

During the 2 years of build-up there is so much planning that goes into putting this show on. Show day gives us a massive sense of pride in our work.

This year’s event is bigger than ever with ten contestants instead of eight. What advice can you give to the 2023 contestants?

Always to enjoy the process, listen to your dance teachers and make sure you are present for the

big night because it goes by in a flash. While dancing in front of so many people can be scary I can guarantee you will come off the dancefloor wanting to do it all over again!

Why are the volunteers who form the Dancing For a Cause Trust so committed to what they do?

Like most people, we all have a ‘Hospice Story’ that we hold near and dear to our hearts. We know what an amazing organisation Hospice is, and this makes us want to go that extra mile to show our support.

How can the Nelson Tasman community get involved?

There are many ways you can get involved. You can donate to your favourite contestant or buy a ticket to the show. Both are on our website; www.dancingforacause.co.nz. You can also help in person. We are always looking for volunteers to help set up the Trafalgar Center or take it all down after. If this sounds like you, contact us and we will put you to work. Finally, you can donate prizes for raffles or goods/services for our online auction.

Introducing Dr Juliet Fleming, Senior Medical Officer at Nelson Tasman Hospice and 2023 Dancing For a Cause contestant ‘Doc on the Dance Floor’

What myth about Nelson Tasman Hospice that I would like to dispel? 

Although people do die in the hospice, most come in for a ‘sort out’ or ‘tune up’ and then go home again where they receive ongoing support from the Hospice Community Team. Some may come back again, even a few times and yes, sometimes people stay until the end of their lives but being admitted to the hospice is not only about coming to die.

What made you want to be a contestant at this year’s Dancing For a Cause?

The main reason I have put myself forward as a contestant is simple – it is for our patients and whanau; past, present and future. Also, to represent and, in appreciation of, my colleagues over the years. I hope it will bring joy (and probably laughter!) to us all. Having experienced the value of hospice services for members of my own family, this has spurred me on to ensure that everyone can access these services when they are needed.

I have been exceptionally lucky to have a career that I have loved and still feel passionate about and I know the financial pressures involved to continue this service into the future.

What have I enjoyed about raising funds?

It has been good to get out into the community with my colleagues to talk about everything hospice at various markets and special events from Takaka to Murchison.

Given that I am testing myself with my dancing abilities (none currently!), I have relished the challenge of making as much as I can for a cause that is my life’s work. I have certainly developed an appreciation for people who sell raffle tickets!

What are you most excited for about the event in May?

I am hoping to do my Mum proud.

If you’d like to support Emma, Juliet and the rest of the Dancing for a Cause team, head on over to www.dancingforacause.co.nz 

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 over $905,000 for hospices this year of which $32,760.21 was raised right here by Farmers Nelson & Farmers Richmond Mall.

Over 15,000 limited edition Christmas baubles were sold nationwide, with Farmers donating the full $10 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.

Running concurrently with the Farmers Campaign, was the Community Trees of Remembrance Campaign, which was run entirely by volunteers supporting Nelson Tasman Hospice in five locations across the region bringing the grand total raised in Nelson Tasman to $42,435.21 which will make a significant impact locally.

The team of approximately 190 volunteers including members of the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, Inner Wheel Club in Stoke and the Lions Club Richmond, staffed stalls at locations in Nelson, Stoke, Richmond, Mapua & Motueka offering locals an opportunity to support Nelson Tasman Hospice and to also take time to remember and honour a loved one who is no longer there to share Christmas with family and friends.

 “For the people of Nelson and Tasman the donation of $42,435.21 will enable Nelson Tasman Hospice to continue to provide free specialist palliative care to around 240 patients and their whānau each month throughout the region.

Once again Farmers staff and our huge team of volunteers, have been incredible ambassadors for Nelson Tasman Hospice, not only helping to raise funds, but also helping the community to better understand the work we do.

Now in its ninth year, the Farmers Christmas Campaign has raised in full nearly $7M in New Zealand, helping to ensure anyone with a life-limiting illness can access hospice care, so they can live life well until the end.

The awareness raising that comes from partnering with Farmers is invaluable. The enthusiasm and commitment from all staff, volunteers and the people of Farmers Richmond Mall & Farmers Nelson have contributed to this amazing result, thank you so much” – Tony Gray, Nelson Tasman Hospice Chief Executive

The many tags honouring peoples loved ones, from all the trees, have been collected and will be blessed at a special service in a few weeks, cremated and then the ashes will be spread in the hospice gardens.