The bottom line

The economy may be taking off but the financial climate for essential charities is still difficult. Timely donations from stalwarts such as S Peter’s Inner City and Onslow Anglican parishes have kept our funds ahead of demand through to the first quarter of this year. We were very encouraged to receive advice from Bowen Trust to support an increased Newsletter circulation and also nearly $4,000 from ICHC as the Trust’s share in the annual national appeal. We do remain acutely aware of the need to widen our income sources because we understand the pressures that rising costs and unanticipated extra demands (such as earthquakes, hurricane-force winds etc) are placing upon traditional donors. We need to raise over $20,000 a year to maintain chaplaincy support at the expected level. Currently we can see about a year ahead. Generous founder donors have enabled us to establish reasonable reserves to continue the commitment of our Trust Deed to help “sustain and maintain” chaplaincy services but in the face of an increasing need for chaplaincy support in our hospitals at present we can only focus on helping to provide the essential day-to-day, weekby- week essential service.

Active Fund-Raising

On the first two Saturdays in December the Trust – its new banner proclaiming The Candle brand – took a site at the Hill St market. The first Saturday was not just very windy; it was horribly unpleasant, but the stall remained firmly (nearly) anchored thanks to the preparation foresight of the market managers but also to the setting-up skills of Sam Ji from St John’s Church, Willis St.

For sale – a wide range of exotic preserves and a lot of fresh and accomplished baking, largely supplied by the people of St Barnabas, Roseneath. The rent of this site was a much appreciated gift to the Trust from the market management. The second Saturday – of course a perfect Wellington early summer’s day – was the market’s scheduled Christmas Stall Day. Again, generously supported by S Barnabas, the Christmas theme produced gourmet preserves, Christmas baking of every description, Christmas decorations, Christmas dotty stocking fillers, Wellington Hospital Chaplaincy Trust all-purpose notelets. Both Saturdays gave public exposure to the chaplaincy services of the hospital, with good opportunities for people to ask questions and to take away chaplaincy fliers. It is hoped to make this an annual event, not only as a necessary fund-raiser but also as a chance for the chaplaincy service and the Trust brand to become more widely known.

(Published in June 2014 newsletter)

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