The Southern Charity Hospital is near completion and the laying of more than 10,000 special charity bricks has struck a chord with Breakfast host Jenny-May Clarkson.
In yesterday’s episode of the TVNZ morning show, Anna Burns-Francis headed to Invercargill to catch up with hospital founder Melissa Vining – wife of the late Blair Vining – and while viewing the special bricks - which were recently laid in the Blair Vining Memorial Garden, they spotted one that has a very important place in Clarkson’s heart.
Explaining why they were braving the cold, windy day, Burns-Francis said, “What we’re actually looking for is the brick that Jenny-May’s family donated as part of this project.” Melissa quickly yells out she’s found it with the camera zooming in on the brick which reads “Clarkson’s community hub”, while Clarkson watches on from the studio.
Proving to be an emotional moment for the former netball star, she immediately wells up and appears overcome with tears while co-host Matty McLean tells viewers it’s a very special moment. Burns-Francis agrees adding the paving is not only special for her co-host, but for the whole Southland community.