It has been said, not all heroes wear capes...

Waipuna Hospice frontline staff face death and dying every day. They are often the unsung heroes helping people pass from this world.

They provide dignity and comfort as best they can. It is hard to describe the work they do, there's no magic formula.

This year's Waipuna Hospice Superhero event seeks to honour these amazing souls who tirelessly give of themselves in a way few of us ever could.

Each time Waipuna Hospice staff enter a patient's home, they have to assess the environment and adapt to the situation while trying to gain rapport with someone who is dying. It's not easy.

Sometimes it's treating symptoms and educating a family on how an illness is likely to go.

Other times, it's giving a compliment about a garden tended with care, noticing a lack of appetite, laying a comforting hand on a shoulder, identifying what help might be needed, or simply offering a listening ear to someone who needs it.

Unfortunately, due to Omicron, Waipuna Hospice's plans to host a live outdoor community superhero event have had to change.

Rather than cancel the event however, Waipuna Hospice is super excited to move to an online one.
'It's the best of both worlds really,” says Waipuna Hospice's Fundraising Executive Wayne Bloxham.

'You get to pick what, how, where, when and with who you want to do the event. Going online gives participants the flexibility to achieve their goals while helping Waipuna Hospice at the same time.”
The concept is simple.

Participants sign up online and are asked to pledge to do either 21, 42 or 84km between February 8 and March 10.

Once you've signed up, you can walk, run, hop, skip or roll to your goal, all while helping raise money for Waipuna Hospice by asking friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor your efforts.

Of course, being the Superhero Walk/Run, participants are encouraged to dust of their capes and dress to impress while they are out counting those km's.

To up the challenge this year, there are a couple of trophies to win.

These include the most km's achieved, the most raised in donations, the best superhero outfits, and more.

These special awards are for those itching to flex their leg muscles (or fundraising muscles) to show off how unwavering they are in their heroic support of the Waipuna Hospice staff and the services they provide to those who are affected by terminal illness.

Assemble your avengers and get the whole household caped up for a team challenge. Invite friends, family, colleagues, or teammates to join you by registering today at https://2022-superhero-walk-run.raisely.com/

The Waipuna Hospice Superhero Walk started in 2019 and crowds had a smashing time dressing up and joining fellow superheroes for a walk around Mount Manganui.

With 2020's walk cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, and 2021's superhero event growing by a whopping 39 per cent, Waipuna Hospice is gearing up to make 2022 bigger and better whilst working with a new online platform.

Register for the Waipuna Hospice Super Hero Walk/Run and have a blast while you raise critically needed funds to help the terminally ill in your community.

Register before February 14 and receive a free Waipuna Hospice Superhero T-Shirt worth $20! Please note sizes are limited and are subject to availability.

Registration is free, simply sign up, get friends and family to sponsor your efforts and away you go!!!

Be the superhero our community needs and register now at https://2022-superhero-walk-run.raisely.com/ or email events@waipunahospice.org.nz or call (07) 552 4380 ext. 318 for more information