Southlanders are being asked to buy a brick to help build the region’s new Charity Hospital. 

The Buy a Brick campaign kicks off on Friday, July 31, when people across New Zealand will be asked to honour the legacy of Blair Vining’s fight for better cancer care by taking part in activities that support the development of the Southland Charity Hospital.

The Invercargill Licensing Trust has gifted its Clifton Club Inn, in Invercargill, which is being redeveloped into a charity hospital to provide access to healthcare to those living in Southland and Otago, who would otherwise be unable to access treatment through the private or public systems.

“Blair Vining reckoned if everybody in the south bought a brick, together we could build a hospital. So, we’re going to do just that,” a statement issued by the Southland Charity Hospital reads.

On “Buy A Brick Day”, members of the public are being encouraged to don red, white and black to raise funds at their school or workplace, which can then be used to purchase supporter's bricks as a means of donating much-needed funds to the Southland Charity Hospital.

“The proceeds will be used to, quite literally, build the Southland Charity Hospital.”

Blair’s wife, and Southland Charity Hospital board member, Melissa Vining said the campaign was crucial in obtaining the funding required to get the Southland Charity Hospital operational as soon as possible.

“Up and down New Zealand, people have supported Blair and his fight for equitable healthcare since day one. I can’t put into words how much that support has meant to our family. Because of the countless Kiwis who have backed Blair’s calls for an end to the postcode lottery, his dream of creating the Southland Charity Hospital is becoming a reality,” she said.

“The generosity of New Zealanders keen to back this cause has blown us away. We already have $500,000 sitting in the bank in donations – and, if we raise another $500,000, we could start working on the hospital build as soon as 1 August. The sooner we start working on the building, the sooner we can start admitting patients who desperately need our help.”

“Every little bit helps, and we’re calling on Kiwis – whether they live here in the deep south or not – to please reach into their pockets, dig out a little bit of loose change, and help us make Blair’s vision a reality,” Mrs Vining said.

A key component of the campaign is the sale of the supporter’s bricks. For a donation of $100, each brick can be engraved with up to two lines of 16 characters each. These will then be used to pave the pathway into the Southland Charity Hospital, once built.

As well as its supporter’s bricks, the Southland Charity Hospital will also offer the public the opportunity to purchase a commemorative plaque in exchange for a donation.

For a donation of $500, these commemorative plaques will serve as a lasting tribute to supporters of the Southland Charity Hospital. The commemorative plaques will be situated in Blair’s Garden, to be created on-site at the Southland Charity Hospital premises. Plaques, like supporter’s bricks, will also be available to purchase online.

Suggested ways to get involved in Buy a Brick 2020

Organise a Casual Friday (with everybody instructed to wear red, white and black, the colours of the Blair Vining Sports Foundation) at your school or workplace on July 31, 2020

Rattle the tin: ask that everybody who takes part in your Casual Friday to chip in so that together you can purchase a supporter’s brick (or three!)

Share on social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #buyabrick

Tell your mates. The Southland Charity Hospital will be accessible to everybody in Southland and Otago, but it’s hoped friends and family further north will get behind ther cause too

Buy a Brick: other ways you can contribute