SHINING THEIR LIGHT Kiwi heroes behind the scenes

We celebrate local women bringing hope and healing to others

- Fleur Guthrie

'WHAT THE DYING HAVE TAUGHT ME'

This might sound weird to some people," says Viv James, slightly hesitating, "but I've always been interested in connecting with people who are close to death."

Speaking from her home in Bannockburn, Otago, Viv is the founder of Race4Life Trust, the only charity in the country that aims to fulfil the wishes of patients over 18 whose time left is scarce.

And through it, she believes she's been given the greatest gift: those dying have taught her how to live in the moment.

This passion started when she was only 18 and lost her best friend. Then, while in her mid-40s, with three children and working as an Auckland primary school teacher, she felt drawn to also volunteer one afternoon a week at Dove House Hospice.

Spending time chatting and listening to the patients quickly stole Viv's heart. She resigned from teaching to take up a paid position at Mercy Hospice running the Opening Doors programme, where palliative care patients were invited to a day of art, music, pampering, and fun.

"It was so invigorating!" recalls the 64-year-old. "We created this vibrant community of people who were dying. The surroundings were beautiful, the camaraderie overwhelming and the sense of belonging was electric."

Opening Doors gave patients who were isolated because of their illness an opportunity to connect to others for a few hours every week while enjoying beauty treatments.

Patients often expressed some of their innermost desires during these sessions, which inspired Viv and her boss Julie Reid to make some of these dreams a reality.