'Red faces' to the fore in Hamilton.

I am a nurse and proud NZNO member who works on the psycho-geriatric wards at Guardian at Rossendale in Hamilton. I am passionate about supporting the residents/patients I look after and improving patient amenities to enhance their quality of fife and assist them to remain important members of our community.

In 2007 and 2008 I worked at Rehab Plus at Auckland City Hospital and organised "Red Faces Night" supporting awareness of rehabilitation at Rehab Plus. These events raised in excess of $13,500 each year. I am now organising a "Red Faces Night" in Hamilton on July 18 to support the residents at Guardian at Rossendale. There will be a talent quest, during which wannabe entertainers wit[ perform songs, funny acts or skits and generally make a spectacle of themselves--hence the "red faces". All entrants will get a prize and also compete for a range of donated prizes. There will also be a giant raffle, charity auctions, spot prizes and door prizes.

More than $35,000 worth of goods and vouchers have been donated to the event. My employer, Guardian Healthcare, has paid for the venue and supported this event as a sponsor, along with a range of other sponsors including Kumfs, Holistic Healthcare and Invacare.

There will be a guest MC and a five-person panel of judges, including some Shortland St stars. Tribal Lights Cultural Show in Rotorua will be doing a 35-minute floor show to support the event. This fabulous support is greatly appreciated.

We hope to raise more than $10,000, which will be used to improve patient amenities at Guardian at Rossendale, eg gardening areas, and equipment for diversional therapy.

If you are interested in either doing an act on the night or coming along for a laugh, please Let me know at: [e-mail]. [Abridged]

Brenton Williams, RN, Hamilton