Ryman Healthcare gifts $90,000 to Age Concern NZ

Ryman Healthcare gifts $90,000 to Age Concern NZ

Elderly New Zealanders will benefit this week from a $90,000 donation by Ryman Healthcare.

The Ryman Healthcare Group raises money for a charity each year. Last year they gave $80,000 to the Stroke Foundation. Ryman’s donation this year will go to Age Concern New Zealand to help promote quality of life and well-being of older people. Of the $90,000 donated to Age Concern, $45,000 was raised by staff and residents through fetes, movie nights, galas, poetry book sales, raffles and garage sales. The $45,000 raised was matched dollar for dollar by Ryman Healthcare.

Ryman will make the donation at the Shona McFarlane Retirement Village in Lower Hutt on Thursday.

``Age Concern is thrilled to be Ryman's charity this year,’’ Kerry Dalton, chief executive of Age Concern NZ, said today.

``We know that an enormous amount of fundraising activity on the part of the Ryman Healthcare Group has gone into raising such a substantial amount of money for Age Concern and we are very appreciative of this.

``The funds raised will be used to support the vital work that Age Concern does to support and promote the well-being of older people,’’ she said.

Kevin Hickman, Ryman Healthcare managing director, said it was a great effort by village residents and staff throughout the group.

``They have been superb and it’s wonderful that Age Concern around the country will benefit as a result.

``We see Age Concern as an important advocate for the elderly as they help inform older New Zealanders of the choices and options available to them as they age,’’ Mr Hickman said.

Ryman has villages, resthomes and hospitals in Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Napier, Hamilton and Auckland. The company provides homes and care services to more than 2300 New Zealanders, employing more than 1300 staff.

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