Wauchope Thunder's gift to palliative care unit in memory of Taegan

Wauchope District Memorial Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit received $5,000 from the Hastings rugby community.

The donation was possible thanks to the Wauchope Thunder Rugby Club, which hosted a charity match late last month in memory of Taegan Grace McNamara-Tavaga.

Taegan died of cancer in 2015. Her final weeks were spent at the Wauchope Palliative Care Unit, where staff helped organise a very special wedding ceremony for the 29-year-old and her fiancé John Tavaga, a Wauchope Thunder Rugby player.

Event organiser Aaron Robinson said it was the second year a fundraiser had been held in Taegan’s memory, and this year the club decided to support the Palliative Care Unit.

“Taegan’s husband and family spent their last days with Taegan at the Palliative Care Unit, which provided second-to-none care for her,” Mr Robinson said.

He said the staff continually went above and beyond, even helping to organise John and Taegan’s wedding while she was in their care.

“As a club we wanted to show our thanks for the care they gave Taegan; we wanted to give back to the unit in her honour to show the appreciation and recognition of the care provided to our friend and to assist the unit to continue to provide the wonderful service they do to other families in this heartbreaking situation.”

Mr Robinson said the charity day would not have been possible without the kindness and support of sponsors.

“We really want to thank TG’s Childcare, Hastings Hotel, BMW, Chegzz Pty Ltd, Lillium Beauty, Cavalier Homes, MNC Maintenance and Rugby NSW for donating a signed, limited-edition Waratah jersey, the community and anonymous donors for coming together to support a cause so close to all the players’ and families’ hearts,” Mr Robinson said.

“This is the best charity event I have ever been involved in, and to organise it was an absolute pleasure.”

The Palliative Care Unit’s Acting Nursing Unit Manager Susan Carter said she and her staff were touched by the community’s kindness and support.

“The Wauchope Thunder Rugby Club and the charity day’s supporters have done something very special for every family who comes to the Palliative Care Unit,” she said.