Farmers Remembrance Campaign raises over $6000 for Hospice EBOP

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 $759,000 was donated towards the end of 2019. This is the sixth year that Farmers has raised funds for hospice and to date has generated more than $4.2M 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 of the hand painted collectable baubles “Ngaru” by Spencer Bellas 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 communities hospice is there free of charge for anyone who needs support.” Explains Mary Schumacher, CEO, Hospice NZ.

For the people of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, the donation of $6,258.07 will enable Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty to fund the clinical team’s visits to patients in their final months, ensuring they receive specialist care to help them focus on living with dignity and comfort.

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 and the people of Whakatane has contributed to this amazing result, thank you so much” explained Hospice CEO Peter Bassett.

“We can’t thank the Farmers team and their customers enough for their generosity towards hospice. To once again raise more than three quarters of a million dollars is incredible. I witnessed first-hand the depth of engagement between hospice and the Farmers team, they are working so hard to raise not only funds but also awareness of the work we do, this has huge value also.” Said Ms Schumacher.

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 110 years. We are delighted to make a positive difference in our communities through our long-standing relationship with Hospice.

About Hospice:

• Each year, New Zealand hospice services provide care and support for more than 19,000 people and their families and carers, either before or after the death of their loved one.

• Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a building – most people are cared for in the community.

• The concept of 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. 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. Every year hospice services cost more than $155 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 $77 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 100 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.