Ray White Takanini, together with over a thousand families, school kids, dogs and walkers, gave up their Sunday morning sleep-in to participate in this year’s 6th Sunrise Walk for Hospice at the Auckland Botanical Gardens. They were rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise and a stunning kaleidoscope of colour, as young and old from the multicultural South and Southeast Auckland, dressed in every colour of the rainbow.
Sue Douglas of Ray White Manurewa and Takanini said she is proud to support this wonderful charity as part of Ray White’s ongoing commitment to the community. “Totara Hospice South Auckland, is a not for-profit organization. It has been meeting palliative care needs of the South and South East Auckland community now for 30 years. Totara Hospice South Auckland is able to provide free of charge care and support for families/whanau of any person living with a life limiting illness in our community. Totara Hospice South Auckland receives no government funding and relies on the generous support of our community through donations and bequests. The Sunrise Walk is a great way to support the hospice and an opportunity to walk step by step remembering and honouring someone you love who may have been touched by the Hospice.”
After an invigorating warm up, the colourful crowd took off for a 5 kilometre walk around the beautiful gardens, greeted over the finish line with a free sausage sizzle, hot soup and an extraordinary show of community – with local businesses giving away free apples, tomatoes and freshly cut flower bouquets to the walkers.
Ray White joined in the carnival atmosphere and added a big splash of yellow to the event with their Great Duck Hunt. Walkers got quacking and kept their eyes peeled for the five Ray White yellow ducks hidden around the course. An ecstatic young year 8 student won a yellow Ray White Bike.
This year walkers also had the choice of a VIP ticket which gave them entry to the Ray White VIP Pavilion and included a gourmet breakfast, a glass of bubbles, coffee and goodie bag.
We are proud to announce that with the help of generous sponsors, $32,000 was raised on the day which will help towards continuing to provide day Hospice services, a vital three day a week programme for hospice patients and their families, with sponsorship still coming in.
There is still time to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Fundraising will run until 21st April – simply visit the Give-a-Little website to help.