Hosting friends while their new house was being built turned into an Arohanui Hospice fundraising opportunity for Val van der Donk of Otaki beach.
Val’s friends needed a place to live for a couple of months, so Val offered her sleepout as a rental. But the building project underwent typical building project delays, and the couple of months turned into nearly a year.
“I thought, donate the rent to Arohanui Hospice,” she said. “They were beyond amazing when they helped my partner and me.”
Val’s partner, Suzana Parry, died three years ago in Hospice care. She had a brain tumour, and her end was shockingly sudden; three months after the tumour was diagnosed. She spent her last eight nights at Arohanui Hospice, and Val stayed with her.
Palmerston North Hospital referred Suzana to the Hospice and the Cancer Society. These two organisations provided equipment, home help, and a psychologist’s services. The Hospice’s social worker and nurses visited often, providing outstanding support at home and by phone. And when Val was staying at the Hospice with Suzana, nursing and social work staff were there to support her and listen to her.
“I was in shock, really. It happened so fast. I think I was in denial. But the help was there for us. I’m really grateful for the support.”
Val’s sleepout started life as a large garage. It was converted to a one-room flat, with a bathroom and small kitchen, and they lived in it while their house was rebuilt. Val knew it was warm and comfortable and worked well as a dwelling, so it was ideal for her friends to use.
She tells everyone how amazing the Hospice is, and she urges other people to consider donating rent from their sleepouts and granny flats. It would help with the housing shortage as well.
“I know funding is an issue for the Hospice, and I often think that if I won Lotto — if I ever bought a ticket, that is — I think I’d give pretty much all of it to the Hospice.”
