It was an honour and a privilege, and very emotional, to be invited by the trustees of Rotorua Community Hospice Trust to accompany good friend Vic Reid and attend the official opening of the new hospice facility in its relocated position in Hinemoa St.
There are many, many kindly and generous-to-a-fault souls responsible for the upgrade, not least Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust for their largesse just as they and all contributors in so many ways were acknowledged today.
But for Vic Reid and his late wife Ngaire and their tenacity in the initial stages to get one going some 35 years ago we may never have had a hospice in Rotorua as it was considered at that time the one in Hamilton and the one in Tauranga were sufficient to serve the needs of this area.
Some 15 or so years ago I myself had never heard of hospice - didn't have a clue. Then my (late) husband and I were invited to be referred to the organisation when he became terminally ill.
I cannot speak highly enough of the beautiful, caring, kindly and considerate nurses and, at the time, two volunteers in particular who allowed me "timeout" on occasion. Hospice means so much to so many and will continue to do so. To me they meant the retention of my sanity. God bless everyone involved.
