25 July 2025
Gaye Burridge is a woman who knows how to keep a promise. So, when her friend Margaret told her that when they retired, they should volunteer for hospice she did just that. And 25 years later Gaye still volunteers for hospice.
Gaye, from Orewa, is a Wednesday volunteer at Harbour Hospice’s Silverdale shop. Known for its fashion offering, it’s the perfect gig for Gaye. Gaye has worked her entire life in the rag trade, and with a keen eye for labels, it’s her job to price the shop’s higher end clothing donations.
She is also a member of the Caring Quilters group, a Hibiscus Coast-based quilting group which makes quilts for Hospice patients. They donate around 200 a year, and each one is stitched with love.
When Gaye began volunteering she worked in Hospice’s Whangaparaoa shop, and after it opened a clothing store in Silverdale, Francescas, Gaye began managing that. She started up fashion parades which proved hugely popular with the community. “We’d have one in summer and one in winter, and they were always lots of fun.”
It was by chance that Gaye discovered her passion for fashion. “My father died and Mum said I had to get a job, so I got an apprenticeship in sewing and began sewing high fashion garments.”
She sewed children’s clothing for a time, then when Bendon opened its first outlet store in Silverdale Gaye and her friend Margaret were asked to run that. The store received busloads of customers every week and Gaye enjoyed it so much she stayed 23 years. During the Bendon years Gaye and Margaret had a dear friend die from cancer who was cared for by Hospice. Gaye says, “The care was so exceptional, that’s when we made our vow to volunteer for them.”
Margaret sadly passed away 15 years ago, but Gaye continued her volunteer work in honour of her friend. In July she’ll be recognised for 25 years’ service at Hospice’s Long Service Awards. She says she doesn’t know where the time has gone. “It has always just been such fun.”
If you’d like to volunteer for Harbour Hospice or have a skill you could share, please email volunteer@harbourhospice.org.nz.
