Amazing Grace Auction A Huge Success

For immediate release
 
The Amazing Grace Auction - held on Thursday 15 October 2009 - "Raising funds to help a child who has never eaten…...to eat"
The Amazing Grace auction held last night has helped the Amazing Grace Medical Fund to reach its target of $50,000 with over 200 people attending the auction.

The auction took place in the Carisbrook Lounge, Carisbrook, Dunedin and the crowd were kept entertained by host Damien Newell from More FM and the witty and quick-thinking auctioneer Richard Kinley led the bidding. Grace, her brother Oliver and parents Pip and Gareth Hughes were in attendance.

The auction alone raised approx. $30,000, in addition to other fundraising activity that has taken place over the last few months by the family, friends and other community support groups and events.

Pip and Gareth Hughes said it was a fantastic evening and everyone had a great time. We had live music, drinks and nibbles and we can't believe how generous everybody has been.

"The range of Items donated just blew us away and people at the auction dug deep, there was some really competitive bidding going on. Our fundraising committee has been incredible and and we'd like to thank them and all of the businesses, people and community groups who have got behind Grace to support her cause. Thank you all so much. We are looking forward to the possibility that we might all be eating Christmas dinner together, this would be our best Christmas wish ever".

The highest bid item of the evening was a Sam Foley donated painting, "Leven Street" which sold for $2700 to a phone bidder. A popular item was a print donated by the Forsyth Barr Stadium, of the 1st piling for the Dunedin Stadium, by Imagine Photography, which sold for $1250. Other items included the RH PM John Key hand-drawn and personally autographed picture "The Beehive" which sold for $900, and the Tiger Woods, Steve Williams and Sergo Garcia signed, framed photograph sold for $875.

The family has secured a place at the Graz Clinic in Austria and has booked tickets to travel on the 30th of November. They plan to be away for between 3-4 weeks. It was also announced at the auction last night that upon their return Grace will start her first year of school at Balaclava School. Grace has now received Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS) funding, which will provide her with the support she needs to attend school. Grace will also require ongoing support when she returns from Austria to assist her speech development and any other medical needs she may have.

Other items auctioned on the night included ‘one-of-a-kind’ pieces, valuable art work, handmade jewellery, wine, signed sporting gear, framed signed gear - Sir Edmond Hillary photo, Alison Shanks top, Jodi Brown netball dress, Greg Henderson top and race number from Spain, Otago rugby jersey, Sir Richard Hadlee signed mini bat, travel packages and more. Complimentary wine from Yealands Estate and nibbles from Just Essence catering was also provided.

Anyone wishing to donate directly to Grace’s trust fund can do so by visiting any branch of the National Bank, “Amazing Grace Medical Fund” account no: 06 0901 0396524 00.

Ends

Merrin Bath - Strategy First Limited Ph 027 2020903
Thank you so much for all of your support

Pip, Gareth, Oliver and Esp Grace xxx 03 488-2008, 27 Roy Cres Concord  DUNEDIN 9018 pippity-pop@xtra.co.nz

Background

Amazing Grace fundraising Auction

"Raising funds to help a child who has never eaten…...to eat"

Grace Hughes, a five-year old living in Dunedin is about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. Grace, for no apparent physical reason has never eaten – and has been nil by mouth since she was born.

Grace and her family are planning to go to Graz, Austria to visit a specialist hospital that can help children who do not eat. Being able to eat would be life changing for Grace and assist her learning and development, particularly her speech.

As a baby Grace was fed milk via a nasal tube and had difficulty keeping any liquids down. Grace vomited frequently and was known to vomit in her sleep up to 14 times a night. Grace, after an operation when she was a year old, is now able to receive food via a tube into her stomach.

Grace’s story was recently aired on 20:20 and following the programme, Grace’s parents, Pip and Gareth Hughes have been contacted by a number of people wanting to help. Pip and Gareth have created a trust fund with the National Bank called "Amazing Grace Medical Fund" to help raise funds for Grace, her brother Oliver and Pip and Gareth to go to Austria.

Grace’s mother Pip has been overwhelmed by the amount of people wishing to offer support after Grace’s TV debut on 20/20.

"To get our wee Grace over to the Graz Hospital (in Austria) which specialises in getting children who refuse to eat is such a special opportunity. I have written to the Graz Hospital, and they are extremely confident that with their specialised eating programme they WILL get Grace to eat!

After being told by all our friends that "we should get over there!!" and not be embarrassed to accept help - we have now got a Medical Fund Account for Grace. Wow this is both scary and extremely exciting at the same time! "

Grace currently attends the St Clair Community Kindergarten and next year will be embarking on another journey – with her first day at Balaclava School.

Following a suggestion by one of the kindergarten parents, the kindy fundraising committee ran a Quiz night on the 9th September at the St Clair Golf Club. This was a great evening which raised $2500 for the Grace’s trust fund.

Then on the 12th September, Pip and her Magic group had the Amazing Grace Magic show at East Taieri Church. What a success also raising over $2000 with nearly three hundred children and adults entertained by a wide range of magic.

Finally on Thurs 15 October, Pip, Gareth and a group of friends are organising the "Amazing Grace Auction" which is to be held in the Carisbrook Lounge. It is set to be a fabulous night with something for everyone from art from a number of well known artists, to pottery, sculptures, sports memorabilia, signed sports apparel, packages of tourist attractions, accommodation, and soooo much more.

Anyone wishing to donate directly to Grace’s trust fund can do so by visiting any branch of the National Bank, "Amazing Grace Medical Fund".
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