Hospice honoured to host Fernando

Cranford Hospice general manager Helen Blaxland (left) and Merrill J Fernando, owner of Dilmah Tea, talking to Dr Julia Hanrahan and Dr Mala Naidu. Photo / Warren Buckland

Yesterday there was an appointment to take tea that Dilmah founder Merrill J Fernando and his sons Dilhan and Malik were not going to miss.

Long-time supporters of hospices across New Zealand, they called at Cranford Hospice in Hastings to enjoy an afternoon tea where they could meet the staff, the volunteers and visit some of those accommodated there and their families.

It was a low key and quietly private affair, but one Mr Fernando was very passionate about arranging.

Through his Dilmah MJF Foundation he has poured millions of dollars into a string of charitable and educational causes in his home country of Sri Lanka, and began his support of the hospice associations across New Zealand in 1997, after a good friend of his received hospice support in this country.

He ensured from that time on that all the hospices here would not go without tea and would not have to buy it - Dilmah would step in to keep the caddies filled.

In dollar terms, it has equated to about $250,000 of tea.

Dilmah also donates a sizeable amount to Hospice NZ every second year through on-pack promotions which sees 50 cents per pack from their green tea range donated direct to them to help fund support work.

Cranford Hospice general manager Helen Blaxland said it was an honour to be able to host Mr Fernando.

"He has supplied us with free tea for so long it is only right we offered him a cup of tea," she said. The white table cloths were laid and the best silver pots prepared, along with cakes and scones.

Mrs Blaxland said when she heard the Art Deco Trust had secured Mr Fernando as its ambassador she approached them, pointing out his links with hospices.

They in turn approached Mr Fernando, who said he would be delighted to call by.

Mr Fernando said his philosophy, which effectively came from his mother when he was growing up in Sri Lanka, was a simple and sincere one.

"When you get something, you share it."

He said from the very start of his creation of the Dilmah company he decided to assist people in need.

In his early years of tea-making he had just 18 workers - he now has 1400 in Colombo and as it was back in the mid-60s, all are given the same benefits in addition to the opportunity for scholarships.

From day one the company provided uniforms, text books, writing books and pens and shoes to families of workers.

Mr Fernando said, as his business grew, he remembered clearly the words of his mother about sharing.

"When mother got chocolates, cake or something ... she shared it with the neighbours."

He said people entered the world with nothing and left with nothing and some of the wealth people were able to acquire should be shared to help others.

"I believe that all what we earn should not go into our pockets but some part given to the wider community," he said.

Mr Fernando and his sons were also guests of Rotary last night.