Motel Assn hands over Christchurch earthquake donation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 November 2011

Motel Association of NZ hands over Christchurch earthquake donation

The Motel Association of New Zealand (MANZ) is today handing over a cheque for $12,250 to the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Relief Fund, the result of two days of fund-raising at its 2011 annual conference in Queenstown.

The amount raised is a fantastic result and reflects the generosity of MANZ suppliers and the 220 members who attended the conference earlier this year, MANZ Chief Executive Michael Baines says.

“It was great to see so much generosity from so many people for such a good cause,” Baines says.

The money was raised in a number of ways; from the orthodox such as an auction of prizes like beds, advertising space and Sky TV packages, to the not-so-orthodox such as cash fines imposed on members and a blind auction.

Penalties were levelled throughout the conference for a range of offences, such as the cardinal sin of having your cell phone ring during a presentation, Baines says, while the blind auction likewise had some interesting results.

“The best effort has to be one of our members who paid $250 for a single red croc (the type of shoe, not the reptile),” Baines says.

Every year, MANZ selects a charity to raise funds for during its conference. The amount raised in 2011 is the highest ever, reflecting how the hearts of motel-owners throughout New Zealand went out to those affected by the quakes in Canterbury.

Baines thanked the MANZ suppliers such as Sky TV, Automobile Association (AA), Jasons Travel Media and Sleepyhead amongst many who donated prizes to be auctioned.

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