Amanda new Charity Hospital trustee

Amanda new Charity Hospital trustee

News

Catch up with the latest news and events from Canterbury Charity Hospital 

Amanda new Charity Hospital trustee

Amanda new Charity Hospital trustee

Reverend Canon Mandy Neil has become a new trustee at the Charity Hospital.
Mandy has been excited to follow the development of the Canterbury Charity Hospital since its inception, and been on the CCHT Clinical Board since her time as a former Vicar of Papanui from 2008.
She is delighted to be a small part of such a meaningful and inspiring undertaking, and knows well, herself, the frustration of being passed by when official channels of the ‘system’ fail.
“To be left without proper medical attention when the right procedure can overcome years of pain and lack of appropriate medical attention, only results in further unnecessary distress for individuals and their families.
“Thankfully, thousands of patients have been relieved of such burdens and their costs, at our Canterbury Charity Hospital.”
Mandy feels that it is an honour to be able to continue to work on behalf of those without the help they deserve, to get their medical needs met by the CCHT’s very special team of volunteers and like-minded people.
She looks forward to working alongside the Trustees in maintaining this amazing service for people in need.

Roaring 20’s Ball a roaring success

Roaring 20’s Ball a roaring success

The Christchurch Town Hall's Limes Room was recently transformed into a Roaring 20's Ball to raise funds for the Canterbury Charity Hospital. Everyone had an awesome time dressed up in their 20's finery and danced the night away to the music of local band The Mule. MC...

All Black legend visits hospital

All Black legend visits hospital

We were honoured to have All Black legend and Crusader Richie Mo'unga speak at a function for local lawyers and accountants at the Charity Hospital. There was a question and answer session hosted by trustee Richard Smith followed by a presentation by chairman Phil...

Chalky Carr Trust raises funds

Chalky Carr Trust raises funds

The Chalky Carr Trust was established by Kevin ”Chalky” Carr in the face of terminal pancreatic cancer to make a positive and practical difference for those impacted and bound together by cancer.   Since then the Trust has raised well over half a million dollars...

Fundraising concert a huge success

Fundraising concert a huge success

The Charity Hospital team is very grateful to the Melbourne-based medical orchestra, Corpus Medicorum, who performed in Christchurch to raise funds for the hospital. It was an amazing concert and was greeted with enthusiasm by the audience. A stand-out was the solo by...

Thanks Ilam Toyota

Thanks Ilam Toyota

Ilam Toyota has very generously donated a new vehicle for lease to the hospital to replace their aging vehicle.“We are very grateful to have such a modern vehicle to use for transporting patients and equipment as well as assisting us with fundraising.” says Carl. "We...

Roaring 20’s ball postponed until December

Roaring 20’s ball postponed until December

The Charity Hospital's main fundraising event has has to be postponed. The Roaring 20's Charity Ball is now being held on Friday 2 December 2022 at the Limes Room in the iconic Christchurch Town Hall. “Our annual fundraising evening is always a fun night and helps us...

Health equity achievable

Health equity achievable

Achieving health equity by 2040 is possible if the Government follows recommendations from a road map developed at a conference hosted by Charity Hospital chairman Philip Bagshaw (pictured) and trustee Sue Bagshaw and co-sponsored with the Association of Salaried...

Big Bird raising funds for Southland

Big Bird raising funds for Southland

Raising funds for the Southland Charity Hospital has taken on a new direction as eight members of the Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club embark on a mammoth 1200-kilometre Tractor Trek from Invercargill to Christchurch. Club members will take turns drivinga...

Increased demand for endoscopy and elective services leads to hospital expansion

Increased demand for endoscopy and elective services leads to hospital expansion

In recent years, the Charity Hospital has seen more cases of rectal bleeding for under 50s from the Canterbury area.

“This younger group of patients has shown to have increasing issues including bowel cancer over recent times. The hospital, which sees patients who can’t be seen in the public system regularly detects significant abnormalities including cancer in this age group and we are saving lives,” says nurse specialist Anita Tuck.

In addition to the growing need for endoscopy services, other free surgical services are all leading to more patients being seen by the charity.

“This is further necessary since the hospital increased its eligibility to the whole of Canterbury, including Timaru and the West Coast,“ says Carl Shaw, executive officer.

The demand has led to a further expansion of the site which now extends from the original Harewood road site and now down Leacroft Street. As well as freeing up more surgical space in the original buildings the two linked buildings have created an enhanced patient services reception, areas for its large workforce of volunteer staff and overnight volunteer accommodation.

“The move will provide a more comfortable experience for all visitors to the hospital, patients and volunteers alike,” says charge nurse Averill Williamson. 

The hospital was opened and rededicated to the community on Friday 16 December 2022 by Mayor Phil Mauger and hospital patron Sir Jerry Mateparae, followed by a Christmas function for guests and many of its 250 volunteers who regularly work at the hospital.   

The Canterbury Charity Hospital provides a range of free surgical, medical and dental services, along with counselling. They do not receive any Government funding and rely entirely on the generosity of their volunteers’ time to reduce their annual operating costs from $2.8 million to around $950,000 a year.

Patron Sir Jerry Mateparae, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger, Archdeacon Mark Barlow and
Charity Hospital chairman Phil Bagshaw at the opening.
Roaring 20’s Ball a roaring success

Roaring 20’s Ball a roaring success

The Christchurch Town Hall’s Limes Room was recently transformed into a Roaring 20’s Ball to raise funds for the Canterbury Charity Hospital.

Everyone had an awesome time dressed up in their 20’s finery and danced the night away to the music of local band The Mule.

MC Mark Hadlow flew in for the evening and was joined by auctioneer Phil McGoldrick who was in charge of the live auction which featured an E-bike, Crusaders jersey and MediaWorks advertising vouchers.

All Black legend visits hospital

All Black legend visits hospital

We were honoured to have All Black legend and Crusader Richie Mo’unga speak at a function for local lawyers and accountants at the Charity Hospital. There was a question and answer session hosted by trustee Richard Smith followed by a presentation by chairman Phil Bagshaw about what’s been happening at the hospital.

Richie Mo‘unga with Phil Bagshaw.

Chalky Carr Trust raises funds

Chalky Carr Trust raises funds

The Chalky Carr Trust was established by Kevin ”Chalky” Carr in the face of terminal pancreatic cancer to make a positive and practical difference for those impacted and bound together by cancer.  

Since then the Trust has raised well over half a million dollars and completed several projects including a $100,000 trust fund for a little girl who lost her mum to cancer; Chalky’s Chairs – specialist oncology chairs at Christchurch Hospital; Chalky’s Cars, a taxi service for those undergoing cancer treatment and Chalky Carr Scholarships to support tertiary students at the University of Canterbury, Ara and Lincoln University who have been affected by cancer.

Chalky’s legacy continues with the Trust’s latest initiative to raise $100,000 for the Canterbury Charity Hospital which provides bowel screening for those under 50 years who have been referred to the public system but not met the criteria for public investigation.  Stuff reporter Jo McKenzie-McLean, who has stage four bowel cancer, gave the keynote address at the recent Chalky Carr Trust Party at Te Pae about the difficulties accessing bowel screening after she had symptoms that warranted further investigation. In New Zealand, younger patients have limited public access to investigation due to resource limitations and a more stringent set of criteria.

The fundraising started with Nic Gill, Sam Whitelock and Brad Mooar rode Wattbikes in a 24-hour marathon in MIQ. Together with the recent event at Te Pae, the Chalky Carr Trust is proud to have raised over $100,000 for the charity hospital’s bowel screening service.

From left to right: Chalky Carr Trust patron Gemma McCaw, Jo McKenzie-McLean and Trustee Dr Sarah Carr at the Party at Te Pae. Image courtesy of Chalky Carr Trust .

Fundraising concert a huge success

Fundraising concert a huge success

The Charity Hospital team is very grateful to the Melbourne-based medical orchestra, Corpus Medicorum, who performed in Christchurch to raise funds for the hospital. It was an amazing concert and was greeted with enthusiasm by the audience. A stand-out was the solo by guest cellist Catherine Kwak who is also a first year doctor at Middlemore Hospital. Thank you to Phillip Antippa and Corpus Medicorum orchestra for your generosity.

Charity Hospital and Corpus Medicorum photos

More about Corpus Medicorum