New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 1834

Just weeks after revealing she suffered a second devastating miscarriage before the birth of her second daughter Lena, Zara Tindall (37) stepped out at an annual horse show in Gloucestershire. The Queen’s granddaughter showed that time can indeed help in healing as she radiated happiness while out strolling with husband Mike (39) and eldest daughter Mia (4) at the three-day event, which she didn’t miss a day of. The loved up parents looked to be well rested, sneaking kisses and a cheeky pinch on the bottom while Mia larked around with Zara’s nieces Savannah (7) and Isla Phillips (6). It was family she leaned on during her heartbreaking loss, Zara says, explaining, “It was a time when my family came to the fore and I needed them.”…

We’ve been full to the rafters this week with sequins, silks – well, every fabric imaginable really, and racks full of clothing from incredible designers to chain-store treasures. And, rather surprisingly , they’re all little numbers you can pick up from a Mercy Hospice shop near you! See, for a brief time we have a selection of Mercy Hospice shop clothing here with us at the Weekly while our Style Director Leigh Matheson oversees a very special fashion show that we’re very much looking forward to. For the very first time, our friends at Mercy Hospice are strutting their stuff with the big league at New Zealand Fashion Week and we’re very excited to be involved! Some well-known New Zealanders will be amongst those taking to the catwalk – including…

‘Even after he passed, the care Mercy gave him and us was amazing. They were there for us every step of the way’ Lorraine Downes calls them her earth angels. Anne Brown, Katie McGregor and Susie Watkin are in fact palliative care nurses from Auckland’s Mercy Hospice, but Lorraine feels as if they were heaven-sent to help her care for her husband Martin Crowe as he was dying of cancer. “Without them, and without hospice and the services they offer, I honestly do not know how I would have coped,” says Lorraine. “It would have just been hell. But instead they took the fear out of what was a very scary situation and not only looked after Marty, but supported me.” She’s so grateful to Mercy for everything they did…

It takes a special type of person to look after someone who is dying. And like Lorraine, many people are overwhelmed with gratitude for the care they and their loved ones receive from the hospice staff who choose this type of nursing as a career. But it’s a two-way street, say the palliative care nurses who looked after Marty at his home in the last months of his life. “It’s not all about giving – we get a lot out of it too,” says Anne Brown (66). “Being involved with people who are living with a terminal illness, and making a difference to their quality of life, is very rewarding.” “We get valued a lot by our patients and their families,” says Katie McGregor (33). “But we couldn’t do our…

Alongside our fabulous cover girl Lorraine, a whole host of celebrities will be walking in the Mercy Hospice and New Zealand Woman’s Weekly show, including Newshub’s dynamic duo Mike McRoberts and Samantha Hayes. We caught up with them to see how they’re feeling about their catwalk debut! Do you have a personal connection with Mercy Hospice? Mike: I’ve had a couple of friends who have been to Mercy Hospice and I’ve seen first-hand the amazing work the staff do there. Often in the most difficult circumstances, Mercy Hospice provides compassion, understanding and dignity. Why did you agree to take part in Mercy Hospice and NZWW’s fashion show? Sam: Mike twisted my arm - the thought of walking down a runway is terrifying but I thought the same thing about Dancing…

Brad’s bitter battle Things are getting very ugly in the divorce between Angelina Jolie (43) and Brad Pitt (54) as they continue to fight over the custody of their six children - Maddox (17), Pax (14), Zahara (13), Shiloh (12) and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. It’s been nearly two years since Angelina filed for divorce from Brad, citing irreconcilable differences, after Brad was cleared of any wrongdoing following accusations he was rough on a private plane with one of their children. Talks appear to have come to a grinding halt and matters have been made worse with reports now alleging Angelina’s lawyer plans to quit, amid claims the actress has been incredibly difficult and hostile. Angelina’s new attorneys released a statement last week alleging Brad has not been paying…