My Account
Some of the funds Harbour Hospice has received through bequests have contributed to the redevelopment of its unit in Takapuna to be constructed this year.
Harbour Hospice has made up funding shortfalls caused by Covid-19, thanks to the generosity of northern communities leaving bequests in their wills.
Bequests are invested in Hospice’s Development Foundation, which pays for equipment, shortfalls and unanticipated events.
Even without Covid disruptions, Harbour Hospice must typically raise more than $6 million to fund its services to make up for a shortfall in funding from the Waitemata District Health Board.
Fundraising manager Sandy McGregor says Hospice has been fortunate this year to have benefited from particularly generous bequests. This financial year, bequests shot up to $2.4 million, up from $490,000 in 2019 and $826,000 last year.
“It’s great when people let us know they have included Harbour Hospice in their will, because then we can celebrate their generosity in their lifetime,” Sandy says.
Hospice has a Circle of Friends group and members are invited as valued guests at events and kept up to date about various initiatives across Hospice communities.
Harbour Hospice expects some upcoming challenges with the population in its coverage area expected to grow to 764,000 by 2034 and deaths set to double in that time.
“People are living longer and developing more complex medical conditions, requiring higher levels of specialist care.”
The average life expectancy in Waitemata is 85.1 years – the highest in the country.
Sandy says bequests make a difference in the lives of others and leave a legacy. She says some people choose to leave a percentage of their estate or a specific sum, or even a particular asset.
“There is sometimes the perception that a gift in a will has to be a significant amount to make a difference, but that is not the case.”
