Hospice families benefit from generosity

GIVING: Masterton Cosmopolitan Club's Christmas charity co-ordinator Steve O'Hara (left) and organiser Jim Laird with the wall of groceries bought with $2000 donated by businesses in the region in aid of the Wairarapa Hospice. PHOTO/ LYNDA FERINGA

A wall of groceries is growing fast in aid of the Wairarapa Hospice thanks to thousands of dollars donated by caring businesses and individuals to bring Christmas cheer to families dealing with a terminal illness.

For the past eight years the Masterton Cosmopolitan Club has been running a charity raffle with the Wairarapa Hospice the recipient for the past few years, said organiser Jim Laird.

"The last several years it has been hospice we have donated to because hospice is something everyone can relate to."

Mr Laird is blown away by the generosity of those who gave money for the cause this year, with $2000 donated already.

"This is overwhelming," he said. "It's just growing every year."

A raffle is for sale at the Queen St club at $2 per ticket or $5 for three tickets with about $400 worth of food up for grabs. The other $1600 worth of food will be given to the hospice to be made into parcels for the 41 families being supported by it. The raffle will be drawn at the club on Tuesday December 23, just in time for Christmas.

Charity co-ordinator Steve O'Hara said it was great the community had come out in support of the charity again.

"It's just fantastic," he said. "People don't realise what the cossie club does for the community."

The pair was extremely grateful for the support given to the cause. Masterton New World is the main sponsor.

"This is a great harvest", Mr Laird said.