Waikato businesses are teaming together to support a major fundraising event for Gallagher Family Hospice, on Thursday 9^th May at Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre in Hamilton.

Claudelands and its key partners, Montana Catering and Vidcom, are among the many local businesses supporting the Bucket List Banquet, which is designed to raise funds for the hospice and theWaikato’s recently opened Wellness Centre.

For the managers of leading sponsor Montana Catering, the banquet holds personal significance.

“Hospice Waikato has provided care to the loved ones of several members of Montana Catering’s management team who have had life-limiting illnesses,” says Montana Catering’s Managing Director Peter Stark.

“We are so thrilled to be sponsoring the Bucket List Banquet because it means we can provide something in response to all the kindness and care shown to our families by the hospice,” he says.

Celebrating the spirit of adventure, the bucket list theme has been deliberately chosen to promote a positive outlook on life and was embraced by people across the region.

Six hundred guests have paid $100 each to attend the event, held in Claudelands’ Heaphy Room. An auction of donated items, hosted by Harcourt’s Brian King, will help ensure that a total of over $100,000 is raised for the new Wellness Centre.

The evening will be hosted by New Zealand film and television actor and entrepreneur, Mark Ferguson and guest speakers include fashion and style queen Paula Ryan, as well as polar adventurer and trans-Atlantic rower Jamie Fitzgerald.

The evening’s beneficiary, Hospice Waikato, provides a variety of specialised limited-life care services. The hospice supports patients, their families and carers through illness, death and bereavement and The Rainbow Place cares for children and young people.

The new Wellness Centre offers multidisciplinary services for all Gallagher Family Hospice patients and their families at no cost and proceeds from this fundraising event will support the development of the centre’s second stage.

Hamilton City’s Event Facilities Director of Business Development, Murray Jeffrey, says it will be a privilege to host the Bucket List Banquet at Claudelands.

“I believe it is important for businesses to get behind this event because of the incredible work the hospice does. Most people would have at some stage seen or experienced their generosity and we are honoured to be able to show our support for Gallagher Family Hospice.”