BNI members in the Hutt Valley believe in setting the bar high when it comes to fundraising for Te Omanga Hospice – in 2009 they raised $6000, in 2010 they raised $20,000 and on 22 November this year they will aim for $50,000.
Chapter representative Adrian McKibbin says the $20,000 donated to Te Omanga Hospice last year helped the hospice purchase a specialised scanner.
“It is envisaged that funds raised this November will go to renovations to the Inpatients Wing of the Hospice, including 10 specialist medical beds.
“We have learnt from last year and we believe our $50,000 goal is achievable.”
Adrian says that BNI New Zealand has for some years chosen Hospice New Zealand as its charity of choice and has effectively encouraged its 2,650 SME members – including those in the Hutt Valley – to support that appeal.
“In 2009, BNI Hutt City Chapter held an in-house auction during it’s last meeting of the year and raised in excess of $6,000 after an idea from one of the chapter members.
“Late last year BNI members in the Hutt Valley held a dinner evening at the Petone Workingmens Club (a donated venue) to raised funds for the Te Omanga Hospice. The result was a little over $20,000 raised towards a specialist scanner.
“As a result of that success, and the knowledge that we could step up again from the results achieved, we are on our way to what should be a fantastic evening.”
- Date – Tuesday 22nd November 2011 from 6.30pm
- Venue – Silverstream Retreat;
- MC – Kath Beir, DJ for The Breeze radio station in Wellington (Kath is a very good DJ and Master of Ceremonies);
- Guest Speaker – Keith Quinn, sports commentator, public speaker and Te Omanga Hospice patron;
- Auctioneer – Euon Murrell (who masterfully controlled last years auction);
- Goal – $50,000 for renovations to the Inpatients Wing of the Hospice, including 10 specialist medical beds;
- There are 220 tickets for sale at $55 each (or $500 for a table of 10), which includes a two-course dinner and a drink on arrival.
This year tickets are only available for purchase through the Lower and Upper Hutt ISite’s (information centres). Tickets may be purchased by telephone using a credit card, which will then be posted. They can be contacted on 04 560 4715 or 04 527 2141, or you can visit the centres at 25 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt or 90 Main Street Upper Hutt.
“It costs over $6m a year to run Te Omanga Hospice alone, of which over $2.3m must be raised from the local community – so without the support of groups like ours they couldn’t hope to continue the free support to the 600 plus patients each year.
“The BNI motto is ‘Givers Gain’, so please dig deep with ticket purchases and donations of products and services,” said Adrian.
