Mercy Hospice has unveiled its refreshed retail brand, For Mercy, as a way to attract a more diverse audience to its nine charitable stores across the Auckland region.
For Mercy promotes Mercy Hospice stores as a destination for affordable finds with purpose, with every purchase directly funding palliative care for 400 Aucklanders at any given time.
The weekly takings at the Ellerslie store alone can fund a week of care for a patient in Mercy Hospice’s inpatient unit or cover the costs of 60 home visits by palliative care nurses.
Mercy Hospice CEO Emma Maddren has stressed the importance For Mercy stores have in delivering its essential care services.
“Mercy Hospice has a very important role in Auckland, to provide care for those approaching the end of their lives, with compassion, in partnership with their whānau and in the place that they choose.
“This care is provided free to all who need it. And the costs of providing this care are met in part through our retail stores.
“Retail is experiencing challenging times, and we need to reach more customers in our community so that we may help fund increasing demand for our services,” she said.
The refreshed brand was launched at an event held at the Ellerslie store on November 13.
It was attended by volunteers, partners, supporters and creators who enjoyed an upcycling workshop led by Tama Tukarere Parker, whose Wellington-based Upcycled Thoughts enterprise is taking off on social media.
Known for his creative approach to slow fashion, Tukarere Parker repurposes fabrics into one-of-a-kind pieces that are handmade with love and crafted entirely in New Zealand.
During the workshop, individuals transformed an old pair of jeans into personalised keychains, showcasing how everyday items can find new life. For Mercy is currently planning more upcycling events with local designers.
Maddren expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped reimagine the brand.
“We needed to increase our brand presence and impact, to bring more people to our stores and we needed to reach customers that might not yet have come to know about Mercy.”
Shoppers can stay connected by following the For Mercy Instagram account, @shopformercynz, for updates, new arrivals, and exciting upcycling events with local fashion designers. Donations are vital to the stores’ operations; all For Mercy stores accept drop-offs during their opening hours.
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