Thank you to the Targa Family
Gorgeous weather in the Hawkes Bay over the weekend of July 4-5th certainly set the scene for yet another great Targa event. As we went into this event, we had no expectation of raising any money. Under the umbrella of COVID-19, the future is so uncertain. It was awesome on the contrary, to see drivers and their crew open up their hearts and their pockets throughout the whole weekend.
Race4Life raised a whopping $10.5K at this two day event, that involved less than 50 cars.
A huge THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts, goes to all involved, for the incredible generosity expressed at many levels over this weekend.
Each morning the Race4Life team greeted drivers and their codrivers, with offers of water, donated by David Melrose Design, and lollies donated by Gilmores and Wilsons. Lunchtime offerings were much the same. Due to Covid-19 the usual prize giving was cancelled and all trophies were presented to the winning teams at the finish line. Handing over a most welcome beer (donated by Lion Breweries) and a piece of delicious brownie, gifted by Ripe Deli, were the tasks allocated to the Race4Life team.
The gathering at DIVA (local Lion Breweries pub) on Sunday was a real treat. Carl and his team at the bar, offered discounts on beer and food and had extra TV screens organised around the venue for the Targa teams to watch the edited video coverage of the weekend. Race4Life used the opportunity to sell raffle tickets for a weekend in the Hawkes Bay. The package included some delicious snacks to eat, local wine and some pampering products for the lucky winners. The entire prize was donated by all the good folk from this beautiful region of our country.
Local patient Sonya Healey had her wish fulfilled over this same weekend in the Hawkes Bay. The family had an awesome time. Dave, Sonya’s partner, loved the experience of driving out to Stage One on Sunday morning in a support car, with the Ultimate Rally Group GM, Peter Martin. The Hawkes Bay community really looked after the family and their story was covered in the local Hawkes Bay Today.
Click on the link to read:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=12345604
Unfortunately, Sonya was unwell on Sunday morning, so the family decided to go back home a little early.
The Clifton Bay Cafe and the Farmyard Zoo had planned to host them on Sunday afternoon. On hearing of Sonya’s ill health, they both offered the family the opportunity to drop in, once Sonya felt better. The Clifton Bay Cafe went one step further, with an offer to deliver a meal to the family while Sonya is unwell. Humanity at its best!!
All in all a wonderful weekend. To witness the loyalty of so many, for our beautiful cause was truly heart-warming.
THANK YOU TARGA NZ!
A Letter from the General Manager
Hello all
Covid -19 Lockdown gave us all an opportunity to slow down and review what we have, what we can be grateful for, plus gave us the gift of time, to dedicate to the things that really matter in our lives. Although so very tough for so many, there is always a silver lining.
Race4Life work with up to 50 patients from throughout NZ, at any given time. We rely heavily on the compassion and generosity of communities nationwide. We are reliant on the Tourist and Hospitality Industries, who as a consequence of Covid 19 have been decimated. We are reviewing how our Wish Service might look going forward, realising our ability to finance wishes will be limited. We do foresee that the nature of wishes may well change, with many more granted locally.
Before the onslaught of Covid 19, the Race4Life Trust had 9 people working in the office. We had to let 5 staff members go. In light of this situation, it is overwhelming to note that in the past month, all 5 staff members who we had to let go, have approached the Trust, with an offer to volunteer their help until we get back into a position to remunerate their services. This is a reflection of how beautiful our work is. Our staff find this work so very rewarding and believe it to be a real privilege and honour to witness the kindness and compassion in communities throughout New Zealand.
This newsletter reports on the fun had by all at the Targa Rally in Hawkes Bay and it celebrates the first wish past the post after LOCKDOWN! We have some fantastic events coming up including the rescheduling of the Race4Life Track Day on Tuesday September 29th. A report on COVID -19 initiatives also features, along with some interesting statistics around our exponential growth.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Thank you all for your continual support of our beautiful work.
Our Growth
In 2019, there was a huge growth, as indicated by our graph. We were so intrigued with this trend, that we embarked on a study with Dr Alison Booth, research consultant and research affiliate from The University of Otago Centre for Global Migration. The study will be looking at the impact that the WISH has on patients , their families and communities nationwide. In our research around this study it has become apparent that no one has attempted an investigation of this kind before, for Patients over the age of 18.
General Manager, Viv James attended a Palliative Care conference, in 2014, which takes place every two years in Montreal. This conference encourages those working in all areas of Palliative Care to share their work. It is particularly sympathetic to new and pioneering ideas and is widely respected and attended by experts from all over the world. Race4Life submitted an Abstract to this conference concerning our investigation into the impact of the Wish Service on patients, family and communities throughout New Zealand, with an intention to present at the 2020.
The bid to present was successful, however because of the current world situation, the conference has been postponed to 2022, with our presentation secured
This study is labour intense. It involves a considerable amount of data gathering and analysis of a quantitative and qualitative nature over the period of 5 years. Presently Dr Booth and the Data Processing team are generously working on this project ingratis. The Trust work is changing communities throughout NZ.
We were able to use the study to pull out all sorts of information. It was fascinating for instance to note that in 2019, from 140 wishes completed, we gathered the following data.
Service providers throughout the country provided the following for Race4Life Patients and their families in 2019:
We are so excited to be pioneers in this area of research and to get the opportunity to present our model to the rest of the world, encouraging people from all over the globe, to embrace the model and adapt it.
Track Day Hampton Downs
The 13th anniversary of the Race4Life Track Day at Hampton Downs was due to be held on March 23rd this year. Due to the crazy events of this year, it was rescheduled. The good news is that this awesome event is now due to be held on TUESDAY 29th September. If you would like to volunteer for the day, you will need to contact Viv on: 021883669 or viv@race4Life.org.nz
Thank you Foodstuffs
The generosity of Foodstuffs in light of COVID-19 was extraordinary with the big Food chain generously donating 10K in essential boxes, for our patients and their families , whose wishes came to a halt, as a result of LOCKDOWN.
Foodstuffs commitment to helping at risk New Zealanders facing such tough times, was totally commendable. The initiative showed full dedication with an intent, not only to supply food and grocery packages but also to deliver the essential boxes to all those physically and financially vulnerable.
Race4Life was so grateful to be a recipient of this humanitarianism. Our hands were truly tied with the Alert Level restrictions. Prior to LOCKDOWN, we had 30 Patient wishes pending, all of which had to be postponed.
Statistically nearly 90% of our Patients come from a lower socio economic group, and with LOCKDOWN, they did not only have to endure the challenges around their impending death, but had the additional struggle to keep their families fed. This gesture to help us bring a little joy and hope into the lives of our patients and their families, was nothing short of a bit of MAGIC!
A HUGE THANK YOU from the team at Race4Life!
Our First Wish past the post after Lockdown
The generosity of Foodstuffs in light of COVID-19 was extraordinary with the big Food chain generously donating 10K in essential boxes, for our patients and their families , whose wishes came to a halt, as a result of LOCKDOWN.
Foodstuffs commitment to helping at risk New Zealanders facing such tough times, was totally commendable. The initiative showed full dedication with an intent, not only to supply food and grocery packages but also to deliver the essential boxes to all those physically and financially vulnerable.
The first wish we addressed at Alert Level One after LOCKDOWN was that of Harold Burke. Harold is a patient of Dove House and his wish was so very humble. When we wind back the clock 5 years, we remember a very similar wish of patient Susan, also a patient of Dove House. Susan and Harold were good friends and Susan’s wish was to share a crayfish meal with her friend Harold before she died. Harold has lovely memories of this occasion, so he too chose to have a special crayfish meal for his final wish.
Andrew Spence from Oceanz, again generously donated the crayfish, as he did, back in 2015. The team at Dove House prepared a scrumptious meal for Harold, who took the time not only to honour himself but his memory of the friendship he shared with Susan. The wishes we complete can be so very simple and yet they bring the joy and the connection that our patients are yearning for.
It is also such a joy to celebrate the loyalty shown by businesses like Oceanz. Over the years Andrew Spence has been a great supporter of the work we do, generously donating seafood for all types of events and celebrations. It is so good to be back in the swing of things again and to be privy to the generosity and compassion of so many businesses in communities all over NZ.
Watch this space
The generosity of Foodstuffs in light of COVID-19 was extraordinary with the big Food chain generously donating 10K in essential boxes, for our patients and their families , whose wishes came to a halt, as a result of LOCKDOWN.
Foodstuffs commitment to helping at risk New Zealanders facing such tough times, was totally commendable. The initiative showed full dedication with an intent, not only to supply food and grocery packages but also to deliver the essential boxes to all those physically and financially vulnerable.
The Fundraising team are working at a new way that our supporters might be able to be involved in wishes.
This initiative will involve an ONLINE BANK/SHOP that will give opportunities for individuals and businesses throughout NZ, to help out first hand, with wishes around New Zealand.
WATCH THIS SPACE
Donate To Our Cause:
In light of the present environment, we are acutely aware of the struggles of so many of our supporters. However if you can spare anything, that could help us with the running costs of the Trust, over this unprecedented time, it would be wonderful. Thank you very much.
If you would like to donate to the Wish Service, or sponsor an individual wish, please click below.
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