A fundraising effort by local businesspeople has raised $14,000 for Hospice South Canterbury.
The Networkers — a group of Timaru business owners — held a speed networking event and auction late last month, with auction items donated by local businesses.
Accepting the cheque last week, hospice general manager Peter O’Neill said he was ‘‘blown away’’ by the amount raised.
‘‘We run a lot of fundraising events, and, for example, our home and garden event is a massive effort, and last time that raised less than this.
‘‘You have got a great group, you really do, and it was a fun night. The people who were there were very generous.’’
Mr O’Neill said the donated funds would go directly towards the care of hospice patients and families.
Franchise partner Vicki Hawkes said The Networkers was a group of business owners in Timaru who got together every week to talk about business, learn, grow and support each other.
The group aimed to provide business owners — many of whom worked alone — with a voice, to create opportunities, and also to support a charity, with the Timaru group choosing Hospice South Canterbury.
Mrs Hawkes said the group planned to hold the event each year, with hospice to benefit.
