Christmas takes on a new sense of importance for Te Omanga Hospice patients. For some it will be their last Christmas with family and friends and for others it will be the first time their diagnosis has really hit home.
On Monday 17 December, the owners of the iconic Skyline Restaurant at the top of the Cable Car in Wellington will provide Christmas lunch for patients and families.
The hospice is being assisted again this year by Driver Training staff from The Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua who are playing "dial a driver" to get patients to and from the event.
The Police College became involved last year on the suggestion of Skyline staff, who regularly see large numbers of police recruits pulling up in police cars in its car park. The Skyline car park is one location used in the city driving component of recruits' driver training programme. The request for help was welcomed by College staff as some have personal connections with Te Omanga and are happy to be able to have this rare opportunity to assist and support the community.
For several years now the Skyline has sponsored patients and their families to a full Christmas spread and restaurant staff always pull out all the stops to make the occasion a real treat, says Te Omanga Hospice's chief executive Mrs Biddy Harford.
"We're very grateful to the organisations that help us put on this event each year. Through a combined effort, the event will create some special time for Te Omanga patients and families in the approach to Christmas," says Mrs Harford.
............................................................................
About Te Omanga Hospice:
Te Omanga Hospice has been offering free care and support to those living with a terminal illness in Lower Hutt since September 1979 and in the Wairarapa since December 1998.
Te Omanga Hospice is a registered Charitable Trust, governed by a board of trustees and managed by a Chief Executive and management team.
Te Omanga Hospice provides: • Skilled nursing and medical care for those suffering from terminal cancer and some other terminal illnesses. • 24 hour-a-day specialist palliative care by staff familiar with the background and needs of the patient and family. • Care at home or in the hospice according to the needs of the patient and family. • An experienced, professional, multi-disciplinary team that aims to provide conditions that allow the patient, family/whanau to make the most of their remaining time together. • Relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. • Help for those patients, families/whanau experiencing emotional and spiritual distress.
...................................................................................................
For more information please contact:
Helen Kelland, Funding Development Coordinator
Tel: 04 566 6154 / Mob: 0275850699