Project H

The whole team at REAL is thrilled to make Hospice our official charity. As a locally owned business we feel it is important to continue our support of our community. As part of our Project H initiative we have pledged to give $1,000 from every house sale during 2021 to Hospice Mid-North and our goal is to raise over $130,000.

Hospice provides specialist palliative care for those living with a life-limiting illness. It is a sad fact that almost everyone knows someone who has benefited from the support of Hospice.

Most of us associate Hospice with caring for people with end-stage cancer, however a surprising 47% of their clients suffer from other conditions such as heart or lung disease. They also provide a host of other services including education, counselling and bereavement support.

They service a population of 45,000 and that’s reflected in demand for their services.

For the period of January 1 – December 31 2020, Hospice Mid-North cared for 228 clients and their families, up from 190 patients the year previously. That’s community-based care that took place in family homes.

Hospice Mid-North also provided those families with the free use of medical equipment, such as hospital beds, medication pumps and breathing apparatus etc. It’s equipment that’s needed to keep their clients as comfortable as possible but, like so many of the services they provide, is not government funded.

This year alone, Hospice faces a shortfall of around $900,000. Typically, this is raised through a combination of channels including their retail stores, donations and a variety of fundraising events, many of which simply couldn’t proceed last year due to Covid-19.

How are we making a REAL difference?

At the time of writing this article we have already raised $20,000 and hope that by the end of March we will have raised enough for the purchase of a Mitsubishi ASX for them at a generously discounted price thanks to Pacific Motor Group in Waipapa.

Next, we are aiming to purchase a second car for the exclusive use of the Nursing team which needs another vehicle for home visits.

After that comes a heat pump system to keep volunteers and customers in the Cobham Road shop safe and comfortable as closure has occasionally been necessary after exceeding the maximum allowable temperature of 30 degrees.

We are working with Hospice to identify a number of other tangible assets that will allow us to support this amazing organisation.

On our team visit to Hospice we got to experience the Hospice culture.  We met some of the volunteers, managers, nurses and board members.  It quickly became apparent that the caring nature carries on right throughout the organisation.  Morning tea was provided, and we were greeted with a waiata.  It was a very humbling experience, and we are extremely grateful for what Hospice does for our community. 

Does Project H sound familiar?

We have organised major fundraising for Hospice before. In 2008 we decided to build a house in 5 days, auction it off and donate all the proceeds to Hospice.  This idea was not only challenging to complete but would have been impossible without the support of our community.  We had donations coming in thick and fast from suppliers of materials, trades peoples’ time and services and students supplying morning tea, lunches, and dinners for all the volunteers.  The result was that we raised $215,000 for hospice and, if you’re interested in watching a short video from the five-day build, then go to the following link

Project H  - 2008 Video

You too can help us make a REAL difference to Hospice. We’d love to exceed our $130,000+ goal and you can help by listing with our team or by referring anyone that’s thinking of selling their property.  Thank you in advance for your support.

REAL welcomes the opportunity of offering free appraisals and market advice to prospective home sellers without obligation.  Pop in for a coffee and a catch up with any one of us if you are thinking of buying or selling.