The Otago Community Hospice development in Oamaru was given a boost yesterday morning, when another $11,049 was donated to the cause.
The donation of proceeds from the first annual ''Boar 'n' Stag Muster'' brings the total amount raised to $135,000, adding to the $118,067 donation from the Portside Punch charity boxing event in July.
Sally-Ann Donnelly has been at the forefront of both events.
Otago Community Hospice chief executive officer Ginny Green said it was great to see such support and enthusiasm from the North Otago community.
''The outpouring of support from the North Otago community is staggering,'' she said.
Initial estimates put costs for the development of a North Otago Hospice facility at $800,000.
A North Otago Hospice House would be a hub for North Otago Hospice staff, clinical staff and volunteers to provide education services, supportive therapies, medical and outpatient clinics and bereavement and grief counselling.
In 2013, 55 North Otago residents were on the Otago hospice programme and nine of them required admission to the inpatient unit in Dunedin.
''Given the high level of care that is able to be delivered by our team out in the community, and the modest need for inpatient services, North Otago Hospice House will not include inpatient beds,'' Mrs Green said.
The Otago Community Hospice team worked closely with local providers of palliative care in North Otago, including the hospital, aged care facilities, GPs and district nurses.
''It's important for people to know that palliative care is delivered by a range of providers,'' she said.
If patients or family members were experiencing more ''complex'' symptoms, the hospice team would then become involved, Mrs Green said.
''Most of the care offered by hospice services is community-based - very rarely would an inpatient stay in Dunedin be required,'' she said.
''Working collaboratively with the full range of providers in North Otago ensures patients can remain at home, which is where most people prefer to be.''
Upcoming North Otago Hospice fundraising events include Melbourne Cup Day at Portside Restaurant and an evening with Jo Seagar on November 11.
