The SHOP2GIVE marketplace is going to make a huge impact in the community when it launches early next month.
Partnering with SBS Bank, Raizor NZ has developed the online platform SHOP2GIVE that allows people to shop online with local merchants and give back to charity at the same time.
With a strong record of bringing beneficial products like charitable credit cards to the market, Raizor promotes a philanthropic mentality through their “giving made easy” philosophy. SHOP2GIVE is SBS and Raizor’s latest initiative, combining the selection and convenience of online shopping with a simple and straightforward way to give back to the community.
Through SHOP2GIVE, customers can shop for products and services in over a dozen categories including clothing, food and beverage, pet supplies, travel and accommodation and professional services. These merchants will include some local companies who don’t have their products available online elsewhere.
Any merchant can request to join the platform with no joining or membership fees on the first year to help them get started. A Raizor technician will help the merchant with the initial setup and give one-on-one coaching explaining how to upload products so merchants can have full control over what they have on offer.
To fund the platform, a modest fee is charged to the merchant on each transaction. Up to 50% of this cost is credited back to the customer to a special fund called an Impact Wallet.
The Impact Wallet is a virtual wallet that allows the customer to save these funds and donate them to the nominated charity of their choice. They can then designate these funds to the charity whenever they wish. This makes giving back simple while still being deliberate.
CRUISE FOR A CAUSE Southland Charity Hospital and Real NZ Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September 2023
Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable. So get ready to create some lifelong memories as the we take you on the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience.
Your itinerary starts in Manapouri with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri. A coach then takes you across Wilmot Pass, travelling on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and the majestic Navigator vessel.
Designed along the lines of a traditional scow, the Fiordland Navigator blends old world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with a fully licensed bar and an observation lounge.
As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins you might encounter.
After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or to simply relax onboard. For the adventurous (or very brave), there’s even a chance to go swimming. All activities are weather dependent.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines at our licensed bar and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars.
Kick off the next day with a hearty cooked breakfast and get ready to enjoy the rest of the morning exploring other parts of the fiord. Finally, you’ll return to Deep Cove, the trip back to Manapouri and many, many conversations telling friends just how amazing your trip was.
Things you should know:
• Duration is 1 night
• Accommodation:
o Private cabins – twin, double or single occupancy with ensuite bathrooms (single passengers must pay sole occupancy rate)
o Family quad share cabins – bunk-style compartments with shared bathrooms
• Enjoy a hearty dinner including a buffet of salads and hot dishes and a selection of desserts and cheeses (vegetarian options available)
• There is a licensed bar on board.
• Includes kayaking and tender craft (small boat) activities
• You’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast on-board
Extra information
• Duvets, sheets and towels provided
• Complimentary tea and coffee is available
• Suitable for all ages, with the exception of infants in quad share
• Due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access, guests will need to have a reasonable level of mobility
• Waiau St Café, below the Manapouri Visitors Centre, opens from 9am – 1.00pm. Menu offers a range of homemade food & Allpress Coffee for you to enjoy pre cruise or take with you
Departure Times
The trip leaves Pearl Harbour, Manapouri at 12.30pm and returns 2:15pm the following day.
You are required to check-in at the RealNZ Visitor Centre 30min before your departure time.
Getting there
All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hours from Queenstown and 30 minutes from Te Anau. Our Manapouri Visitor Centre is located at 64 Waiau Street.
Free parking is available in Manapouri.
What to bring
Only one carry-on bag is recommended for passenger convenience and for safety reasons. Don’t forget the following:
• Non-slip walking shoes/boots
• Waterproof jacket*
• Warm sweater/fleece jacket
• Change of clothes*
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellent*
• Swimwear (optional)
• Camera
• Cash for bar and snacks
• Lunch and snacks for the first day
• Personal medication including for asthma and allergies
*Essential items if you are doing activities. Activities take place even if it is raining.
As the year comes to a close we’ve been reflecting on what has been an incredible year for the Southland Charity Hospital project. The past twelve months have flown by, but so much has happened in that time. Here are just a few highlights from 2021:
Construction gets underway
Last year the Invercargill Licensing Trust gifted the former Clifton Club Inn to the Southland Charity Hospital Trust. Plans for the hospital were full steam ahead with the help of the team at Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers and Project Manager Boyd Wilson from Bonish Consulting. Barry Stewart Builders were appointed the lead builders for the project. On the 12th of May this year, the day before what would have been Blair’s 41st birthday, construction consent came through and work could get underway.
Construction progress
Prior to finishing up for the year Karl Boniface from Karl Boniface Plumbing Ltd got in touch to let us know how construction is progressing:
The hospital building is mostly closed in, and the final internal structural steel work needed to support medical equipment has been signed off for fabrication, which was one of the last critical design elements. The construction team is very pleased with what has been achieved in 2021 and there is a sense of excitement that internal services will start to be installed in January.
Thank you to all those who have been involved in the construction of the hospital for your interest and support of this project throughout the year. I know many are eager to contribute in a hands-on way and we are looking forward to seeing that happen in the very near future. Momentum is likely to ramp up substantially over the coming months along with growing media interest.
Lending a hand in so many ways
We rely on volunteers across the whole project, from our permanent or semi-perminent volunteers through to one-off or short-term volunteers. We couldn’t do this without your help and we appreciate every single one of you. This year we’ve been overwhelmed by the number of volunteers from near and far who have offered to pitch in. There were businesses and organisations who came in to help clean up on-site, our administration team, tradies, suppliers, committee members, medical workers, those who have helped with events, and those who have come on-site to lend a hand. We thank you all!
We still have a stack of jobs to be done so if you’d like to volunteer, please get in touch here.
Whether you’re a tradie, a labourer, a gardener, or someone who just wants to muck in, we’d love to hear from you. It doesn’t matter whether you volunteer for a couple of hours, a couple of days, or even longer; every hour counts and all help is appreciated.
Reaching our first fundraising target
Our Buy a Brick campaign was launched in July last year with the aim of selling 10,000 bricks to help fund the hospital’s construction. Thanks to the support from our community we reached this target in under a year. By Christmas this year we reached an incredible 10,404 bricks and 652 plaques.
If you haven’t got yours yet or you want to buy another one, there’s still time. You can buy your brick or plaque here.
It doesn’t stop there though. We have been selected as the beneficiaries of several grants throughout the year and there have been so many fantastic community-led fundraisers going on throughout the year from the young people putting their hair on the line to fundraise for us, through to knitting and patchwork items that have been donated, quiz nights, the business initiatives, and raffle items.
We were extremely excited in September to be able to let everyone know that we had received an anonymous donation of $500,000, which was not only a massive contribution, but also rounded out the funding needed for the construction of the hospital. It’s been so humbling to watch our community at work and to be on the receiving end of such incredible generosity.
#Bales4Blair
One of the largest community-led projects from this year was the #Bales4Blair initiative which saw sheep farmers and wool brokers donating more than 300 bales of wool. This was scoured by Woolworks NZ before being sent to Terra Lana NZ, both of whom donated their services, turning the wool into 254 bales of insulation batts for the hospital. Incredibly the #Bales4Blair team had excess wool, which was then sold off, with the proceeds also being donated to the hospital.
Tractor Trek
Another notable fundraiser from this year was the Tractor Trek in May. This was run by the Thornbury Vintage Tractor Club as a fundraiser for the Southland Charity Hospital. Eight members of the club took turns driving Bert (aka Bertie), a yellow 1983 Massey Ferguson, non-stop from Invercargill to Christchurch and back again over two massive days. This was dubbed the ultimate kiwi roadie and saw the club raise $10,190 for the hospital.
Painting the town Red, Black and White
Our annual fundraiser, Red, Black and White Day, was held in July, and once again the Southland community got behind the hospital and helped us paint the town red, black, and white. We even had a couple of schools and kindergartens from Central Otago joining in this year. The team loved travelling around the South checking out as many schools and businesses as they could, seeing all the different ways people were taking part.
This year we were also very proud to be able to launch the Southland Charity Hospital jewellery collection, in collaboration with Fabuleux Vous and Country Jewel. This beautiful collection is so special, and we loved being able to launch it just in time for Red, Black and White Day. You can read all about it or purchase your piece here.
New Zealander of the Year nominations
As most of you know this project was started by Blair and Melissa Vining. Since Blair’s passing Melissa has been both tenacious and relentless in her efforts to help the people of Otago and Southland recieve the access to healthcare services they deserve and end the postcode lottery that exists in our healthcare system.
It was only fitting then that Melissa was nominated for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year for 2021. Although we were disappointed to hear she missed out on the top prize, we were so proud she made it in to the top three and stoked to learn this month that she’s been nominated for the award again and has made it in to the top ten for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year for 2022.
We wish you all the best for next year Melissa, you have tirelessly campaigned for the Southland Charity Hospital and you deserve this recognition for all that you have done.
Looking ahead to 2022
This year has been absolutely incredible for so many reasons and we’ve already achieved so much, but next year is going to be epic!
Early next year we’ll be celebrating some big construction milestones as we gear up for our big opening in the middle of the year. We’ll also have a few fundraising events going on as we try to reach the next fundraising goal – $1 million for medical equipment and major assets.
There’s plenty happening and we’ve got some very exciting plans for next year that we’re bursting to tell you all! Follow us on Facebook to find out more!
We’ll leave you with this message from our Acting General Manager, Jim Hurring.
From the Acting GM’s office
I regard it as a pleasure and privilege to join the Southland Charity Hospital (SCH) team and the admiration for the vision and dedication, especially by Melissa Vining, to embark on a project such as a charity hospital to provide hope for those people in the Southland and Otago community who are unable to have timely access to the public health system.
The position of General Manager presents unique challenges, being responsible for a myriad of activities associated with a project of this nature ranging from sourcing adequate funding through to the building of the hospital and the establishment of the medical infrastructure essential for the delivery of a quality health service.
It is an honour to have the opportunity to assist those from the Otago and Southland community to access potentially life-saving health services they are currently denied. This year we have been able to do this through our colonoscopy services, which we have been able to do thanks to the Southern Cross Hospital in Invercargill.
Once the hospital opens, this service will continue to be offered alongside some potentially life-saving treatments. In addition, the hospital will be able to provide services for many people who are currently unable to access oral health services, mainly due to cost, which has implications such as deteriorating oral health issues including potential delays in accessing designated surgical interventions.
The project relies on people with various skills who donate their time in support of improving access to health services. The range of skills and dedication they bring to the project is impressive and greatly appreciated, this project would not be successful without their input.
Currently, the main focus is on building the hospital and the range of skills required to achieve this. SCH is also indebted to the many companies and firms providing building materials and labour to establish the hospital and the oversight of key individuals to ensure the build is according to specifications and critical timelines.
SCH is also grateful to the dedicated administrative team who ensure all of the supporting administrative tasks associated with hospital funding, hospital build, medical equipment, and subsequent patient management systems are managed efficiently.
I would also like to extend my appreciation to the SCH Board of Directors for their advice, support, and overall guidance of the project.
The early months of 2022 are important to progress the multitude of hospital building features to ultimately accommodate a Day Stay Theatre and Dental Facility. The building design must comply, not just with a building code, but also with very stringent health facility standards.
I am impressed with the dedication and focus the SCH building team applies to ensure the hospital building design meets required standards but is also achieved within established timelines, acknowledging challenges with the Covid virus and inevitable delays. I am confident that the hospital will be completed by mid-2022, which is a credit to all those involved given the nature of the project and the challenges they have encountered.
The support by the Otago and Southland public has been amazing and huge appreciation must be conveyed to the hundreds of people contributing to the Buy a Brick campaign and other funding events, but also people and firms who have donated or funded equipment or contributed funding in some way towards the hospital build. Also, to those people who have designed quilts for patient comfort and other similar items which reflects the depth of feeling by many who support this concept and project. We ask for your continued support into the new year to assist us in covering ongoing operational costs and ensure the future viability of our services.
– Jim Hurring, Acting General Manager of the Southland Charity Hospital
Southlanders just keep on giving to the Southland Charity Hospital – and the latest gesture from Scott Williamson, of SW Finance, has once again humbled those involved.
In late January, Scott’s newly launched business, SW Finance, is the headline sponsor for the upcoming 2020/2021 New Zealand Saloon Championships, being held at X Factor Cars Riverside Speedway.
As part of the title sponsorship package, SW Finance has exclusive access to the corporate area for the weekend – and has chosen to gift this to volunteers involved with the Southland Charity Hospital, with full hospitality included.
“I believe those involved with the hospital are very deserving of this package and will get a massive kick out of it and a great chance to enjoy the atmosphere,” Scott said.
“We just saw fit to gift the area to a deserving charity for the weekend. The corporate area is a project the local club has been working on for several years – it is by far the best seat in the house – and this is the first time it will be filled to capacity.”
Scott said the offer was about thanking the volunteers and board of the Southland Charity Hospital for all of their hard work and dedication.
And what better opportunity than a national event?
The event is the first national saloon championship event for Southland since 1992 and has generated plenty of interest from all over New Zealand, with participants entered from the breadth of the country.
Southland Charity Hospital general manager Helen Robinson said the gesture was hugely appreciated, and yet another example of the generosity of Southlanders.
“All of the progress that has been made towards the Southland Charity Hospital would simply not be possible without the huge number of really dedicated volunteers. We are so grateful to each and every one of them but, given we are in constant fundraising mode, it is difficult to really express that gratitude, so this opportunity is amazing.”
“We are very thankful to Scott and SW Finance for this offer and are really looking forward to the event. We hope Southlanders will support the event – it sounds incredible. How exciting to see a national championship event here on our doorstep, we cannot wait!”
Scott has been involved with speedway for many years, including as a driver, volunteer and spectator.
After a lengthy career with X Factor Cars, he has launched SW Finance; a finance and insurance brokerage, specialising in vehicle finance, warranty and insurances with a personal, straight-up and genuine touch.
The SW Finance NZ Saloon Championships will be held at X Factor Cars Riverside Speedway on January 29 and 30. To find out more see:
The Southland Charity Hospital has received overwhelming support this year from Southland and Otago businesses that continue to think outside the square and come up with wonderful ways to raise the funds required to begin the hospital build. So far, The Southland Charity Hospital has raised over $1.7 million dollars for the construction and operation of facilities at the former Clifton Tavern in South City. However, more funding is still needed for hospital equipment, construction, and services that will serve those in need in the Southland DHB, starting with Colonoscopy and dental care.
The newest fundraising initiative – just in time for the new year is a 2021 calendar featuring stunning landscape images from well-known photographer Dakota Brown. Many Southlanders will remember seeing Brown’s photos featured in the 2017 Invercargill City Council calendar which received an overwhelmingly positive response. In partnership with Back9 Creative and Craig’s Design and Print, Brown, who is now working at Back9 Creative as Photographer and Videographer, saw this as an opportunity to produce a calendar that would support a cause that he and the (Back9) team are passionate about. These stunning calendars feature images from Invercargill, Bluff, Wanaka, Moeraki, and more. All profits from the sale of the calendars will go directly to The Southland Charity Hospital.
Southland Charity Hospital General manager, Helen Robinson said they were privileged to work so closely with Back9 Creative. “We have had Phil, Allison and the wider Back9 team supporting the hospital since the beginning and to have Dakota using his gorgeous photos to create this beautiful calendar is a real privilege.” (Helen) Robinson hoped that people would see this as not only something they could purchase for themselves but also a lovely gift to be sent to family and friends overseas. “The south is a beautiful place filled with amazing scenery, as well as kind and giving people. It will be lovely to be able to share a part of it with others around the world.”
The calendars cost $25 and can be purchased online at: https://www.back9.co.nz/product/southland-charity-hospital-2021-calendar and shipped anywhere in the country as well as internationally, or they can be picked up at Back9 Creative Studio at 107 Spey Street Invercargill on or after 14 December.
They’ll arrive this weekend in various states of disrepair. Some will be a bit thicker around the midriff, others will be hobbling. A few may have a grey hair or seven, or the odd piece of plastic where a joint used to be. They’ll disembark from cars and planes and roll into Invercargill like a great migratory herd, kicking up dust and working up a thirst. On Saturday, they’ll tape up, offer a small, silent prayer for survival and jog onto Rugby Park not to reclaim their former glory, but to say this: we care.
When Missy Vining asked me to write a few words for this esteemed publication she told me it was to be a story about the kindness of the rugby community, but I’m not sure any of the players and personalities heading south this weekend believe for a second this event is about them. Not Sir Graham Henry, not Joseph Parker, not Carlos Spencer, or Andy Ellis, or Wyatt Crockett, or Andrew Hore, Tony Brown, Matt Watson, Bryce Casey, Brendon Laney…
Sure, it has been an extraordinary undertaking to secure so many recognisable names for the Pack the Park celebration, but if there is a common theme at all, it can be distilled from the fact rugby is a sport that rewards selflessness, and anyone who has been around the sport long enough can recognise selflessness in others. That is why every player this weekend is here: because they appreciate the selflessness of Missy Vining and her remarkable family. Just as importantly, they also recognise the immeasurable benefit to the folk of this great province of the Charity Hospital project.
Much of the organisation of these teams has been the work of Corey Flynn. Why? Because he is connected to this place and to its people, and because this is a game that means so much to Missy, Della-May, Lilly and many others. Those wonderful locals strapping on the boots this weekend are all here because they know no other way but to make good things happen. Those from out of town are here because it was a small chance to show gratitude for everything the Vinings have done and what this province can achieve when it gets together for the benefit of all.
When Sir Graham was asked to coach the Blair Vining XV, he simply said, “Of course. Blair was an extraordinary man. I would be delighted.” When Chiefs legend Dwayne Sweeney heard about the game, he said, “How can I get involved?” When Paddy O’Brien heard about the game, he organised the only referee in the world capable of dealing with Troy Flavell, Paul Miller, Kelvin Middleton and Ali Williams in the same ruck. If Craig Joubert thinks a Rugby World Cup final was high pressure…
There will be laughs aplenty on Saturday, reminiscences of provincial glories and the rehashing of old rivalries. There will be the bonhomie of a brotherhood and the kinds of bruises that take weeks to fade. All the guys in the middle want in return is to see Rugby Park bursting at the seams, a community united behind a family that continues to give, a year since losing their beloved Blair. All of us in attendance want to see the Southland Charity Hospital open its doors.
So, yes, maybe this is a story about the kindness of the rugby family, but only in part. You see, it’s not hard to join forces with a force of nature like Missy Vining. And it is the continuing kindness of her and of all those involved with the day, and the Charity Hospital, that should be the star of the show.
Well, that and Cabbage Rutledge on the blindside.
Article written by: Scotty Stevenson
Lawyer Chris Menzies was a perfect choice when it came to seeking out people to play a governance role following the formation of the Southland Charity Hospital Trust. Hailing from the same rugby club as cancer care advocate Blair Vining, Midlands, and a personal friend of the Vining family – for Chris, becoming part of this inspiring project was equally obvious. We asked Chris a few questions about why he wanted to be part of this cause.
Name
Chris Menzies
Occupation and professional background
Partner at AWS Legal, practising for more than 10 years
Roles held with the Southland Charity Hospital Trust
Board member and heading up the legal committee
How did you hear about plans to create the Southland Charity Hospital?
I am the President of the Midlands Rugby Club, so have had a close association with Blair and Melissa Vining
What compelled you to become involved in this cause?
I wanted to support both Blair, Missy and the wider southern region in providing health care to the unmet need. I am also through my family, indirectly affected by the inequity in New Zealand’s healthcare system. My wife’s step-father was also declined a referral for a colonoscopy, and due to the delay in having this investigative procedure completed, his cancer has now spread to other organs. He now has Stage 4 terminal cancer
What are your hopes or goals for the Southland Charity Hospital?
To provide timely medical access to those in need in the Southland and Otago area. This need is not being met through current processes. I hope the Southland Charity Hospital also contributes to decreasing Southland’s appalling statistics for undiagnosed colon cancer, whilst also providing other unmet medical care
Why is the work being done by the Southland Charity Hospital so crucial?
Too many people in our community are having their health issues going undiagnosed, particularly in relation to colon cancer. There are also many other areas of health where New Zealand – Southland and Otago in particular – are falling short and we wish to be able to assist to meet these unmet needs
How will the Southland Charity Hospital make a difference in our community?
Firstly, by ensuring members of the Southland and Otago community, who have been declined a referral by the Southern District Health Board for a colonoscopy, and do not have the resources to fund this privately, are able to obtain a timely investigative procedure. Secondly, to assist in increasing the overall health, well-being and livelihoods of people living in the Southland and Otago region
If the Southland Charity Hospital did not exist, what would life look like for people in our community?
Our community would continue to suffer with the needless loss of loved ones with ongoing delays in being diagnosed and receiving subsequent treatment
Donation advances hospital fundraising
For Advance Agriculture, donating $10,000 to the Southland Charity Hospital was a pretty straightforward decision.
“It’s just a great cause,” commercial director Iain Wilson says.
“Any one of us could have to use it one day, and it really hit home as far as that goes. It’s good people trying to do really good things, and that really fits with the ethos of our company.”
A locally-owned Gore-based company, Advance Agriculture supplies agricultural chemicals, seed, spray equipment and Precision Ag to the rural sector in Southland and Otago.
The decision to donate $10,000 to the hospital was made before Covid-19 caused massive disruption to the country, but was ratified afterwards – it was simply a decision the company was always going to stick with.
“It’s a great local charity and we’re a local company. It (the charity hospital) is going to support Southlanders and people in Otago; it could be our clients or our employees,” Iain says.
Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining says the $10,000 donation is incredibly generous.
“To have local businesses like Advance Agriculture give so generously during such challenging times gave us not only the funds but the confidence to keep pushing on with the project during very uncertain times,” she says.
“We are just continuously overwhelmed by the support of our amazing community. This donation from Advance Agriculture is massive; it’s going to help so much and we are extremely grateful.”
Calling all tradespeople – the Southland Charity Hospital needs your help to turn our vision into a reality. We are set to host an information evening for tradies keen to get involved in our cause, on 26 August 2020.
Come along and talk to Southland Charity Hospital board members and those from our project team about how you can be part of this incredible project. Download the poster below for more details.
