Mercy Hospice Auckland gets grant from The Harcourts Foundation

Mercy Hospice Auckland has received a grant from The Harcourts Foundation to enable it to purchase a specialised piece of nursing equipment. The hospice, which provides a range of free palliative care and hospice services to people facing life-limiting illnesses along with support to their families, was last week presented with a cheque for $3598 to enable it to buy a special heavy-duty shower commode.

Harcourts New Zealand CEO Bryan Thomson says the donation was amongst the latest round of grants from The Harcourts Foundation, a charity established by Harcourts in mid-2008 and which to date has given more than $290,000 to a total of 61 charities in New Zealand and Australia.

As Mr Thomson explains, half a million dollars has already been raised for The Harcourts Foundation by Harcourts team members in New Zealand and Australia through various fundraisers and from voluntary individual and office donations, with additional support coming from some of Harcourts' business partners and clients.

"As a result it means The Harcourts Foundation can support the efforts of a variety of deserving charitable organisations including Mercy Hospice Auckland, whose team of highly skilled and caring professionals and volunteers play such a valuable role in the Auckland area, looking after more than 1000 patients and their families each year."

Mercy Hospice Auckland Chief Executive Jan Nichols says the support from The Harcourts Foundation is greatly appreciated.

"There is considerable pressure on us to raise funds so we can continue to provide our increasingly in demand services for free, so to get support from The Harcourts Foundation for something that otherwise would have remained on our 'wish list' is fantastic.

"Their grant will allow us to purchase a special commode designed to accommodate heavier and larger patients whilst showering and toileting, which will be of great benefit to them and also to our staff who care for them because it will be easier and safer for both to use."

As Mr Thomson explains The Harcourts Foundation was set up to provide support that helps, grows and enriches our communities.

All of the money raised for The Harcourts Foundation is donated as Harcourts International Ltd is funding the Foundation's running costs, and aside from a small portion set aside to support major emergency relief efforts the money raised in a particular region goes back into that area.