Thanks to the teams from the Farmers stores in the Waikato!

 
Thanks to the teams from the Farmers stores in the Waikato!

Hospices throughout the country have once again been overwhelmed and humbled by the support from Farmers Department Stores and their customers in the lead up to Christmas. More than $908,000 was donated from the Farmers Christmas Charity Campaign towards the end of 2021. This is the eighth year that Farmers has raised funds for hospice and to date, around $6M has been donated to help keep services free of charge.

One of the unique elements of this fundraising is that 100% of funds raised in each community stay in that community to support the local hospice service. The iconic annual bauble produced by Farmers exclusively for hospice was once again in high demand. Nearly 15,000 collectable baubles “Togetherness” were sold, contributing a significant sum to the final total.

“Farmers have recognised that their staff and customers really want to support people in their own communities living with a life limiting condition. Because of this focus, people know their donations stay local and will mean their community hospice is there, free of charge, for anyone who needs support” explains Wayne Naylor, Acting CEO, Hospice NZ.

For the people of the Waikato, the donation of $82,580.45 will enable Hospice Waikato to continue to provide care and support to patients and their families and whānau at a very difficult time in their lives.

Not only did the team at Farmers embrace raising funds for our hospice, they also worked as ambassadors for our services, helping the community to better understand the work we do. The awareness raising that comes from being involved with Farmers is invaluable. The enthusiasm and commitment from all staff across the five Farmers stores in the Waikato, and the people who visited these stores, has contributed to this amazing result, thank you so much” explained Hospice Waikato CEO, Craig Tamblyn.

“We can’t thank the Farmers team and their customers enough for their generosity towards hospice. Raising over $900,000 is incredible, especially during a year where many felt the significant impact of COVID-19. We have been blown away by the support of Farmers staff and the community” said Mr Naylor.

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 the hospice service

  • Each year, New Zealand hospice services provide care and support for more than 19,000 people and their families and carers. In the Waikato alone, in the 12 months to 30 June 2021, Hospice Waikato supported more than 1,600 patients, providing clinical care (both in the home, in hospice’s Inpatient unit and in aged residential care facilities in our region), paediatric care for seriously ill children, bereavement support for patients and their families, music, art and massage therapy, and education.

  • 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 their emotional, spiritual, and social needs as well. This care extends beyond the person who is unwell to also include their family and whānau. Support is available both before and after a death.

  • Irrespective of where a person lives, this philosophy of care does not change, and everything provided is free of charge. Whilst free to people using hospice services, it does cost a lot to provide. In 2021, hospice services cost almost $170 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 $81.5 million nationally.


    • About Farmers
  • As the country’s foremost department store, The Farmers Trading Company has been outfitting New Zealand women, their families and their homes for more than 110 years.

  • First established by Robert Laidlaw as a catalogue mail order company in 1909, Farmers is now a thriving, modern department store and New Zealand’s leading fashion and home retailer - combining quality and value with an ever-increasing selection of the best local and international brands.

  • Proudly New Zealand owned, Farmers operates 58 department stores in rural and city locations around the country, providing shoppers with a wide range of women’s, men’s and children’s fashion, health & beauty, homewares, manchester, appliances, electronics and furniture.



    • Media contacts:
    Cherie McCleery, EA, Communications and Engagement Lead, Hospice Waikato, 021 994 585
    Nikki Newton-Cross, Head of Corporate Relations, Farmers, 021 190 7036


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