Altrusa International Ashburton has donated $1500 to Ashburton Palliative Care Charitable Trust Fund.
The money was raised in the club’s annual Tree of Remembrance in the Ashburton Arcade last year.
The annual project sees members of the public buy a star to hang on the tree with a message to someone they will miss at Christmas. It has been running for almost 25 years.
Tree organiser Sue Gough said she and fellow Altrusa members had been pleased to see last year’s tree filled with colourful stars by the end of the two-week project.
‘‘Many people come back every year to remember a loved one,’’ Gough said.
‘‘We had people saying they were waiting for us to bring the stars out again this year,’’ she said.
‘‘And it wasn’t only humans being remembered, a much-loved and missed cat had a star hung in their honour.’’
The $1500 has been donated to Ashburton Palliative Care Charitable Trust Fund, administered by Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.
The trust supports individuals at the end of life, advancing palliative care education and the provision of equipment for those with a palliative diagnosis.
Advance Ashburton chief executive officer Carolyn Clough said she welcomed applications for the fund from individuals as well as places like resthomes, the hospital or hospice.
‘‘This is one of the few funds apart from our scholarships that we have for individuals,’’ Clough said.
Individuals could apply for funding to purchase equipment, or undertake something of importance to them, such as returning to a place of cultural significance.
‘‘Applications are also invited to assist with financial support of a terminally-ill person,’’ Clough said.
Applications could be received at anytime.
‘‘We welcome people to make an application to the fund as we have money available to help those who are palliative to live life,’’ Clough said.
– Ashburton Palliative Care Charitable Trust Fund application forms can be found under Community Grants at advanceashburton.org.nz, or contact the office at 161 Burnett St, by email [email protected], or ph 307-5902.
