New hospice fundraiser set to fill Nelson Airport with Christmas cheer

A new partnership between the Nelson-Tasman Hospice and Nelson Airport launches next week with the installation of nine Christmas Trees of Remembrance in the airport terminal.

The Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance campaign is a new annual event to raise funds and awareness for hospice. Local businesses have come on board to support the campaign by sponsoring and decorating a tree for display in the terminal from 30 November to 11 January.

Members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite tree, with the most popular tree crowned the People’s Choice winner. An Overall Winner will be selected by special celebrity guest judge Dame Suzie Moncrieff, founder of the iconic World of WearableArt Awards Show. Prizes for the winners are digital advertising packages donated by GO Media.

Dame Suzie says she is delighted to judge the inaugural event and is looking forward to seeing what the local businesses have created to celebrate Christmas.  “Nelson Tasman Hospice is a local charity that is crucial to our community, supporting over 240 patients and families a month throughout our region. As their work is only partially funded, they really need community support to continue to provide the services they do, and so I'm really pleased to support their work.”

Nelson-Tasman Hospice Head of Supporter Engagement and Income Development Donna Ching-Tregidga said this was an extension of hospice’s annual ‘Trees of Remembrance’ campaign, which has been running for more than 30 years, allowing the community to remember and honour their loved ones each year. All money raised from the sponsorship of the trees will help patients and families in the Nelson Tasman region continue to receive free hospice services. 

“We are so very grateful for the support of Nelson Airport in backing this new activation, to GO Media for their prize sponsorship and to the businesses who have come on board as a tree sponsor.  To have Dame Suzie as a judge is really special.”

Nelson Airport Communications Manager Beth Catley said the campaign was a great opportunity for the airport and wider business community to show its support for the vital work undertaken by the hospice in our region.

“Over the summer period there will be between 2500 and 3000 passengers moving through the terminal daily. The Trees of Remembrance will provide a highly visible showcase both for hospice and for the generous businesses that have sponsored and decorated a tree. I can’t wait to see the creativity on display in the terminal - and find out who our Overall and People’s Choice winners will be.”