Community
- A $50,000 donation from Hugo Charitable Trust helped Presbyterian Support Southland meet its funding goal.
- The $400,000 project expands the Iona dementia facility with six new psychogeriatric beds.
- The upgrade will provide better care for Southland’s elderly with high-level dementia needs.
A major funding milestone has been reached for the expansion of the Iona dementia facility in Invercargill, thanks to a generous $50,000 donation from the Hugo Charitable Trust. This contribution enabled Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) to meet its $400,000 funding target for the project at Peacehaven Village.
Related: Presbyterian Support Southland Highlights Aged Care Challenges
The upgrade will add six additional D6 psychogeriatric beds and improve facilities for elderly residents requiring the highest level of dementia care available in New Zealand. PSS is the only provider of this specialised care in Southland.
Maryanne Green established the Hugo Charitable Trust in 2017 to honour the legacy of her late father, Irish philanthropist Hugh Green. The trust has since donated over $19 million to charities across New Zealand.
PSS chief executive Matt Russell expressed gratitude for the support received, saying the Hugo Charitable Trust’s donation not only covered the remaining funds needed but also helped address an unexpected cost overrun of more than $20,000.
“We are thrilled to report, thanks to the generosity of a significant number of contributors, the project is now fully funded.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for recognising the need and lending their support to this vital project.”
The project was made possible through contributions from several other funders, including ILT Foundation ($120,483), Stewart Family Charitable Trust ($26,300), PH Vickery Trust ($26,300), Guy Anson Waddel Charitable Trust ($26,300), Aotearoa Gaming Trust ($29,900), and various smaller trusts and individuals.
The Iona unit has two wings—one for those with mild to moderate dementia (D3) and another for patients needing advanced psychogeriatric care (D6). The expansion will help meet growing demand for dementia care in Southland, ensuring more residents can receive the support they need close to home.
“The upgrade of the Iona unit will go a long way towards meeting the increasing demand for dementia care and addressing the current lack of D6 beds in the region.
“Residents will be more likely able to access psychogeriatric care in Southland and remain closer to their families,” Mr Russell said.
Work on the project began in August last year and is set to be completed by the end of this month. An official opening event will take place on Friday, 7 March, at Peacehaven Village in Invercargill.