Valerie Adams Rose Garden Opens Successfully
Submitted by Angela Fulljames on November 8th, 2011
Valiant supporters of Totara Hospice south auckland (formally Hospice South Auckland) braved inclement conditions yesterday to celebrate the opening of the Valerie Adams Rose Garden and the $100,000 contribution the project has made to supporting Totara Hospice’s ongoing service in the South Auckland community.
Proud to be a part of the day, the gardens ambassador and world champion Valerie Adams returned to Totara Hospice with family to officially open the garden alongside Board Members and Hospice staff.
The garden is Totara Hospice’s newest addition, set in its beautiful Manurewa grounds it will act as a sanctuary for time out, celebration and remembrance of loved ones cared for by hospice. Hospice services are broad, offered to anyone in the South Auckland Community free of charge who is facing or caring for someone with a life limiting illness.
Adams, who has a strong connection with Totara Hospice shared a moving speech which highlighted the care, compassion, empowerment and love given freely to her family during their mother’s battle with cancer at the young age of 39.
“Our experience with Totara Hospice was amazing; hospice provided huge relief and support to our Whanau in what was the toughest time in our lives. Hospice was there for Mum through every step of her journey, and made each of us feel loved and cared for. It was like having a second family and for that we are extremely grateful, we will always be strong supporters of hospice” says Adams.
Totara Hospice south auckland cares for around 400 people in the community at any time, and is home to a 9 bed In-Patient Unit (Totara House) specialising in palliative care. With a rapidly expanding population and growing need for increased services in the South Auckland community Totara Hospice will next year undertake an extensive fundraising campaign catering for a massive expansion project which will see the In-Patient facility increase to a 21 bed facility.
