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Parkinson’s NZ chief officer Andrew Bell and chairman Peter Garelja both have Parkinson’s themselves, but remain active. “We’re trying to break a few myths – we don’t look at what we haven’t got, but what we have,” Peter said.
Cakes, cocktails and kicking back in the spring sunshine were the order of the day for the first Tulip Cream Tea fundraiser for Parkinson’s NZ, held at Matakana Botanicals on October 16. More than 100 guests enjoyed music from Latakana on the lawn, together with high tea treats, an art auction, raffles and a special Tulip Cream Tea cocktail devised by The Vintry.
Parkinson’s NZ board of trustees chairman Peter Garelja, who suffers from Parkinson’s himself, said Tulip Tea events were a new way to raise awareness of, and funds for, the Parkinson’s disease charity, which was solely reliant on donations and received no government support. They had originally hoped to run 50 such events across the country, but the idea took off and 99 Tulip Teas were being held, from the far north down to Wanaka.
“We’re so grateful for the support. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition, and numbers diagnosed are expected to double in the next 20 years,” he said. “We apply for every grant possible so we can provide support. I don’t need a nurse yet, but for those who do, it’s the best thing we can do.”
The Matakana Tulip Cream Tea raised $7000, which Parkinson’s NZ’s community engagement advisor Karen Schade said was an outstanding result.
“It was amazing, absolutely incredible. There was so much local support, especially from Katy and Danvers who donated the venue,” she said. “I’m really proud of the Matakana community for putting their weight behind the event, there was such a great turnout.”
Karen said she hoped to hold another Tulip Cream Tea next year.
