Millions Raised In Months, Thanks To Community Push For Regional Surgical Robot

The Palmerston North Hospital Foundation is celebrating, with its campaign to fund a publicly-owned surgical robot successful in only six months.

A surgical robot will mean safer surgeries and better cancer care for the central North Island. More than 580,000 people are covered by the hospital's cancer services, including patients from Palmerston North, Manawatū, Horowhenua, and Tararua, but also Ōtaki, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay.

Launched in late February, the Foundation’s goal to raise the $2.5 million + GST needed ($2.875M) was an ambitious one but Foundation Chair Brendan Duffy says this success is a moment for the whole community to be proud of.

"This is a community achievement, plain and simple. It's the result of many caring people and organisations, from incredibly generous local families through to grants, community events and sunflower fundraisers. Every single dollar got us here, and we're so grateful to everyone who took part. This is what our region can do when it decides something matters."

Among those helping turn the surgical robot from a goal into a reality are Christine and Paul Frecklington, Vivienne and Gerard Gillespie, and Sir Pat Higgins.

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Paul Frecklington has spent his entire life on the same Manawatū land his family have farmed for over a century. Beyond the farm gate, Paul and his wife Christine have been a quiet force in their local community, helping refurbish local school tennis courts, and stepping in to fund the completion of a swimming pool when money ran out. Now in their retirement, Paul and Christine have made their most significant gift to the community - a major donation towards the surgical robot.

Prompted by Paul’s own experiences with bowel and knee surgery, they know how important the surgical robot project is, and believe that rural communities shouldn't have to go without access to life-saving tools. "Everyone thinks those things happen to everyone else and never yourself," Paul reflects. "We need it - we might not think we do because we think we're indestructible." He has also seen the benefits of robotic systems in the agriculture industry, both at home and abroad, and understands how useful this technology will be to surgical teams.

Paul says this was an opportunity to give something back to the region that has given them everything. "Our staff and our family are proud of what we've done on the farm, and having something to get involved in now means a lot."

Vivienne and Gerard Gillespie (co-founder of EziBuy) were also major contributors, and have called Palmerston North home for decades. Beyond business, the couple are well-known for their passionate support of this region, including the hospital and many other community causes.

"It's simple, really," says Gerard Gillespie. "Something like this means we're looking after this community, and that looks after the region's future. We wanted to do our part to get this over the line."

Proud backers of the project have included the Lion Foundation, Palmerston North Hospital Regional Cancer Treatment Trust, Mainland Foundation, Te Awa Foundation, Awapuni and Palmerston North Rotary Clubs, Levin Waiopehu Lions Club, Rotary Club of Levin, Altrusa International of Levin, TailoredNZ, Nodero, Max Tarr Group, Mitre 10 MEGA Palmerston North, Gaye Fell, Selwyn Yorke and Isabelle Vanderkolk, Scott Bruce, and many others.

With the funding secured, Health NZ MidCentral is now underway with the formal procurement process. It has confirmed that the surgical robot will be a permanent installation at Palmerston North Regional Hospital.

As this fundraising project finished much earlier than expected, Duffy says the Foundation is already working with the Hospital’s clinical leadership to review the next projects that will best benefit the community. One of these is the Friends of the Emergency Department Programme, which St. John's announced it would be stepping back from. The Foundation has confirmed they will be fundraising $75,000 to ensure the continuation of this valuable volunteer programme for the next three years.

For more information or to donate, visit www.pnhospitalfoundation.co.nz.

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