CHEMIST WAREHOUSE RAISES A MILLION DOLLARS FOR KIWI CHARITIES

Community pharmacy retailer, Chemist Warehouse, has raised over a million dollars for Kiwi Charites since 2022. Their recent charity efforts raised more than $435,000 throughout the Super Rugby Pacific 2024 Season as part of the Chemist Warehouse Super Charity Five Campaign. Donations were collected in-store, online and at selected games between March 21^st – May 19^th, 2024.

This is the third year the campaign has run, with the aim of raising much needed funds and awareness for five chosen Kiwi Charities, in partnership with the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders. Over the three-year period, Chemist Warehouse has raised a whopping $1,004,003.

Among the recipients is Southern Charity Hospital, which was created after founder Blair Vinning was told he had weeks to live, but chronic under-resourcing of the health system in the Southern region meant he was unlikely to see a specialist before cancer took his life. With the support of local suppliers, customers in communities across the country and Highlander fans we have raised $86,370.98 for Southern Charity Hospital.  

With funding, the hospital charity aims to provide free services to those in the southern half of New Zealand who are unable to access care through the public or private health system, Melissa Vinning, Founder of Southern Charity Hospital, emphasises how important these funds are.

“We are incredibly grateful to Chemist Warehouse and the Highlanders for this incredible donation, it will enable us to buy specialised equipment prior to the Hospital opening and assist us in providing care to those who need it the most in the Southern region”.

Mike Kerr Commerical Manager from Highlanders Rugby Club, said:

“It is fantastic to have a commercial partner that priorities social reasonability, as this gives us the opportunity to help support charities in our community. The Southern Charity Hospital are going to be doing such important work for the people of our region that need it the most and we look forward to seeing it open soon.”

Chemist Warehouse New Zealand CEO Azman Haroon expressed the company's deep appreciation for the vital role charities play in communities nationwide, affirming their commitment to ongoing support for local charities in the future.

“Chemist Warehouse is committed to providing everyday health and wellness solutions to all of Aotearoa, community and family are engrained in our DNA. Each year we look at ways that we can effectively support and raise money for charities across the community and we are proud to work alongside the five chosen 2024 charities who are making a huge difference to everyday New Zealanders,” Haroon said.

To see more about the Chemist Warehouse Super Rugby charity drive, watch the official video here.

Chemist Warehouse now has 50 stores in New Zealand and employs more than 270 pharmacists nationwide.