Hospice gets the cream
By JANIE SMITH - Central Leader
CHARITY MINDED: Auckland mayor John Banks helps out at the hospice Strawberry Festival with volunteers, from left: Alma Sax and Di Goldsworthy.
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Hundreds of people flocked to QEII Square for a sweet treat on Wednesday for the Mercy Hospice Auckland’s Strawberry Festival.
Punters filled up on bowls of strawberries and icecream, bought strawberry plants and angel Christmas ornaments and Christmas cakes to raise money for the hospice.
Fundraiser Verity Lee Sang says the inaugural event had a great response from the public.
"Everyone has been really positive. They think it’s a really fun and festive occasion and a great cause. It’s bringing a bit of soul back to Auckland city. It gets people in the festive mood."
The tables were manned by volunteers from corporate organisations that support the hospice, including a team of BNZ Bank staff taking part in the Closed for Good initiative where they had a day off to undertake volunteer work.
Even Auckland city mayor John Banks got behind the table, selling some strawberries and having a bowl himself – although he says the icecream was the best part.
"I have been supporting the hospice movement all my life. People are doing wonderful work raising money for those of us who need their love and care."
He says the hospice movement is one of the great caring charities in the country.
Most aspects of the event were sponsored and Ms Lee Sang says because the hospice is only partly government-funded and has to raise the shortfall, it has some independence to hold events like the festival and engage with the community.
"We’re so pleased with all the help we’ve had from the community to promote the event."
The final figure raised from the Strawberry Festival has yet to be calculated.
