Business Central December 2021

18 | Mary Potter Hospice: McKee Fehl Community backs Hospice development T Sue Russell “They have done everything they can to mitigate the impact of construction activity for neighbours and have been extremely generous towards the Hospice.” T to page 20 DEVELOPMENT We specialize in commercial & residential joinery and hardware “Come and visit our showroom in Lower Hutt!” 37 Marsden Street, Lower Hutt By appointment only: 027 609 2502 / 027 916 0250 www.ffe-group.com www.architectsplayground.com The Architects Playground aims to provide New Zealanders with classic designs from around the world, catering for all tastes and delivering premium quality. F inding a way to secure the financial future for Mary Potter Hospice, located in Wellington, has been uppermost for Diana Pryde, the organisation’s Director of Development and Infrastructure. Mary Potter Hospice was New Zealand’s first modern hospice dedicated to care for those with terminal illnesses. Its significant history goes back to 1929 when the Little Company of Mary, a group of Catholic Sisters, established Calvary Hospital in Newtown. The Catholic Sisters’ order had been established by the Venerable Mary Potter so when the Sisters had advocated sufficiently for authorities to listen, they established Mary Potter Hospice in her name in 1979. Clock forward to 1986, the Little Company of Mary sold Calvary Hospital and in 1988 gift- ed the Hospice to the people of Wellington. A charitable trust was established called the Mary Potter Hospice Foundation with the vision of providing free-of-charge Hospice to those who needed it. The Foundation is governed by a volun- teer Board of Trustees and is now staffed by around 170 largely part-time staff in a wide range of roles. They are supported by around 550 volun- teers. The Board’s aspiration is to ensure it is long-term service for all who need it, into the future. Diana’s association goes back many years and today, in her role overseeing new de- velopment, she has been leading the charge to establish a sound future-bearing income stream for Mary Potter Hospice, in the form of a brand new apartment block which will be rented out, with income constantly supporting the work and development of the Hospice organisation.