Nelson Tasman Hospice is calling on the community to once again put their hands up this May, as the Hands Up for Hospice campaign returns for 2026.
The month-long fundraising initiative will officially launch with Hands Up for Hospice – The Fashion Edition, setting the tone for a vibrant programme of community-led events. It will culminate in a high-energy finale, The Breeze Heave for Hospice, on Thursday, 29 May, when Trafalgar Street is taken over for a fun and challenging team competition. A limited number of spaces are still available to enter.
Running throughout May, the campaign is a region-wide call to action, encouraging individuals, businesses, schools and community groups to come together to support free hospice care for local patients and their families.
At its heart, Yondi Foundation Hands Up for Hospice is about connection and the shared understanding that, at some point, most people will need hospice care, either for themselves or someone they love. The campaign aims to ensure that care remains available when and where it is needed most.
Each month, Nelson Tasman Hospice supports around 210 people across the region, helping them to live well until they die, while also providing wraparound care for their families. This care is provided free of charge, but it comes at a cost, with the hospice needing to raise $12,300 every day to meet growing demand for its services.
Chief executive Tony Gray says the campaign empowers the community to be part of the solution.
“The Yondi Foundation Hands Up for Hospice campaign is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in a way that feels meaningful to them. Whether it’s hosting an event, supporting a local fundraiser, or simply making a donation, every action helps ensure hospice care is there for our community,” Tony says.
Throughout May, a range of events and activities will take place across the region, from quiz and bingo nights at local venues, to high teas, workplace challenges and community-led fundraisers. A new initiative, Hops for Hospice, in partnership with Sprig + Fern Brewing Co, aims to bring people together to support hospice in a relaxed and social setting.
Many participants also choose to create their own unique fundraising activities, adding to the energy and creativity of the campaign.
The initiative is proudly supported by the Yondi Foundation, whose contribution is helping to strengthen the impact of this year’s campaign and extend its reach across the region.
“We see every day the difference hospice care makes, not just for patients, but for the people around them,” Tony says. “This campaign is a chance for our community to stand alongside those families and help make sure that care continues for generations to come.”
The community is encouraged to get involved throughout May by attending events, hosting their own fundraiser, or making a donation.
To learn more or sign up, visit www.handsupforhospice.org.nz
