A Healthy Partnership

The Rotary Clubs of East Coast Bays and Henderson have a long history of working to improve the health services provided in their local hospitals, North Shore Hospital and Waitakere Hospital respectively.

Funding has been provided for the hospitals to obtain much needed and vital equipment and facilities not publicly funded. The ability for the clubs to do this has been actively enhanced by partnerships with the Well Foundation, the charitable arm of Waitemata Health.

Since its inception, the Rotary Club of East Coast Bays has raised in excess of $1.8 million for local, national and international projects and charities. One of the club’s main fundraising events is the annual North Shore Taxi sponsored Drive 4 Life Charity Golf Tournament, held at the Waitemata Golf Club. This year marked the 23rd anniversary of the event, with the major beneficiary each year being the North Shore Hospital. The tournament has always been well supported and has now enabled more than $300,000 to be provided for projects undertaken in partnership with the Well Foundation, and its predecessor the North Shore Hospital Foundation.

Equipment provided over the years has included two portable abdominal scanners, two mobile ‘Specialist Patient Chairs’, which keep track of the patients’ vital signs during treatment, a Resus Trolley and Vital Signs Monitor, and Waimarie Sensory Modulation Equipment. These provide benefits for all those within the former Waitemata District Health Board’s catchment area.

In 2005, in recognition of Rotary International’s centenary, club members helped construct and fund The Healing Garden at North Shore Hospital. For the past few years the Rotary Club of East Coast Bays has donated breast pumps for the families in North Shore Hospital Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

The Rotary Club of Henderson also runs an annual fundraiser in support of the Well Foundation. The Douglas Pharmaceuticals Business Luncheon, at which the key speaker is usually the current Prime Minister, is well supported by local businesses.

The combination of fundraising, district grants and donated products and services has enabled the club to provide much-needed equipment and undertake some hands-on projects, such as the upgrade of an outdoor staff area and the complete renovation of an overgrown and disused pond area.

The club wanted a large sized project that would allow all its members to participate in some hands-on work – whether it be chain sawing, hauling branches, mulching, planting, or organising morning teas and lunches for the hungry volunteers. It also provided the opportunity for other Rotary clubs to lend a hand. Over three months, the area around the pond was transformed into a retreat for patients, families, and staff to enjoy relaxing time in an attractive environment.

PICTURED: Members of the Rotary Clubs of Henderson and New Lynn at the opening of the renovated pond area at Waitakere Hospital.