“In some small way I am making a difference.”
It was an invitation to lunch from Helen Pilkington, original member of the Hospice Women’s Fundraising Committee that started Barbara Litherland’s 30 year involvement as a Hospice volunteer.
She was invited to be the secretary and there began a seven year commitment to fundraising and events. The goal of the Committee was “to raise money for a Hospice Nurse to work in the community with patients” says Barbara. “We held ten functions a year so no sooner had we held one event than we were looking forward to the next one.”
The Fundraising Committee initiated a number of events that are still run today including the Vintners’ Brunch and the Tennis in Homes. Barbara recalls a number of other events that were held, including a grand ball held at the Auckland Town Hall which included an appearance by Queen Elizabeth (or someone who looked remarkably like her) and another ball held at the Shore City shopping complex where people were able to observe the dancing from the mezzanine floor. When Nelson Mandela visited New Zealand the opportunity was seized to ask him to sign a copy of the book “Walk to Freedom” which was subsequently auctioned off and the proceeds came to Hospice. Various businesses were approached to support or host events and donate prizes and over the years the relationships formed through Hospice became close friendships.
“I look back on it and it was a wonderful part of my life because we met some wonderful people in the community who wanted to support the establishment of a hospice and were very generous with their donations of time, prizes and money”.
After seven years it was time for a change and Barbara starting working in the Hospice itself at Shea Terrace. “It was a lot smaller in those days and the volunteers were taught how to lift patients and help the nurses” she says. “In the old days the families would come in to the kitchen with us and there was a real feeling of family, we wanted people to feel like Hospice was part of their home.”
Barbara now volunteers in the Hospice kitchen; serving meals to the patients and helping the Household staff on a regular Tuesday afternoon shift from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. She can often be seen at Hospice on other days and was recognised for her “willingness to do extra duties” with the Runner –up Award in the Elsie Tillett Volunteer of the Year Awards in 2007. Barbara’s work in the community has also been recognised with a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship after being nominated by the Milford Rotary Club.
While there have been many changes at Hospice the Inpatient Unit has not changed “and that’s why I’m here” she says, “The patients do as much for me as I hope to do for them. Volunteering at Hospice, I hope in some small way I am making a difference to the patients’ day in a good way.”
Barbara will be recognised for 30 years voluntary service with Hospice at the Annual Long Service Awards event on 4th July. She is the first volunteer to achieve this length of service with Hospice North Shore
Born in Wellington, the eldest of five children Barbara grew up in New Plymouth. It was there that she met husband of 53 years, Garry, and they now live in Castor Bay. They have two children, a son and a daughter, and two grandchildren.
June 2017
For more information, please contact Volunteer Services by e-mail or on 09 485 3536.
