Margaret’s Hospice West Auckland story began in the early 1990s with a simple suggestion and an advertisement in the local newspaper. Encouraged to give volunteering a try, she found herself at the New Lynn Hospice Op Shop in its original location on Great North Road. There she sorted clothes and served customers every Friday afternoon – a commitment she continued for eight years. “I worked there with another lady on a Friday afternoon, and together we sorted clothes and sold them,” Margaret recalls.
The shop was a hub of activity and friendship. Margaret fondly remembers working alongside Joan Ross, a fellow volunteer who shared her surname. “I knew her from school, although she was a couple of years ahead of me, but we knew each other from our old school days.”
The early days of the shop were humble, and it was run solely by volunteers. “We didn’t have a till to start – just a money tin,” Margaret laughs. “Nothing was very busy in those days but it was a well-placed shop.” The shop sold a little bit of everything, though clothing was the mainstay. “We could have used more furniture, I think. There was always interest in walking sticks, and when we ran out, I’d bring one down the next day.”
Margaret’s contribution to Hospice extended beyond the shop. The design and establishment of the beautiful gardens at the first Hospice House in Woodford Ave were funded by Sir Tom Clark, and they required regular maintenance. “I used to also help in the garden at Woodford Ave,” says Margaret. “Just weeding and chopping things up, about once a month. There were so many roses growing, and of course roses are hard to keep under control, but lovely trees were planted there too. I worked in the nursery as well.” Her work in the gardens was not just about plants, but about creating a place of peace and beauty for patients, families, and volunteers alike.
Margaret’s time in the op shop and the gardens didn’t just support Hospice’s mission – it was filled with friendship, connections and great memories. Her wonderful contribution is part of the foundation of Hospice West Auckland.
