INDEPENDENT NEWS

Fundraiser A Star-Studded Success

Published: Fri 11 Nov 2011 03:12 PM
Media release November 11, 2011
Fundraiser A Star-Studded Success – With More Than $30,000 Raised For Charity
The stage was set for a night of glitz, glamour and giving generously – and Kiwis didn’t disappoint, with more than $30,000 raised at the GABA Gold Charity Auction – the highest amount in the history of the event!
With stunning TV personality Alison Mau acting as Master of Ceremonies, more than 200 tickets were sold to the GABA Gold Charity Auction, an annual event that raises money for health, welfare and support services that benefit New Zealand’s LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, as well as one of the largest tertiary scholarships available in New Zealand that helps young people through their first year of full-time study.
Bidders at the GABA Gold Charity Auction showed their political prowess, with the PM and MPs alike proving popular on the night, alongside stunning artwork, rugby memorabilia, romantic getaways and more – all raising much-needed funds for a worthy cause.
Two bottles of the PM’s Pinot sold for $250 each – a limited release wine that Prime Minister John Key personally had a hand in bottling at the vineyard. Signed by the PM, the run is extremely limited, not for sale and given only as gifts to visiting dignitaries, so it was no surprise that wine lovers were quick to snap up this exclusive opportunity!
Also pulling the big bucks was a Champagne High Tea at for two at the Langham with Labour MP Jacinda Ardern, which sold for $500, alongside dinner at popular eatery The Depot with Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye and National’s Candidate for the North Shore, Maggie Barry, going to the top bidder for $400. And last but most certainly not least, a bubbly night with Labour MP Maryan Street at Auckland’s Harbourside, complemented by two bottles of Louis Roederer, went for an impressive $2000!
Dan Carter’s good looks and talent on the pitch saw a black T-shirt signed by the hunky star sell for $500, while a Walk-on role on Shortland Street reached $700! Bidders continued to show their love for Kiwi actors, with a personalised phone greeting by Rhys Darby selling for $300 also.
Soldiers Off Set – a limited edition print by well-known Australian artist Ross Watson – sold for $2200, alongside Spaceman Cigarettes – a limited edition silk screen print by renowned New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai, which sold for $1300.
And hunks in trunks proved popular on the night – a car wheel alignment from Mayne Automotive performed by their spunkiest male mechanic – topless – reached $160 –twice the retail value!
Car enthusiasts showed their bidding stripes, with the opportunity to drive a stunning white Santa Fe from Hyundai NZ for a fortnight selling for $650, alongside a weekend away package at Heritage Suites Bay of Islands – complete with a sleek black Alfa Giulietta donated by Andrew Simms Newmarket to drive for the weekend – going to the top bidder for an impressive $950!
And in a nod to the courageous efforts of Cantabrians, The Christchurch Rescue Package was sold for $650. Hosted by Sam Johnson, organiser of Christchurch's Student Volunteer Army and 2011 Sir Peter Blake Trust leadership award recipient and current nominee for Young New Zealander of the Year, the Christchurch Rescue Package includes dinner and wine with Johnson, as well as a Waipara Winery tour.
The GABA Charitable Trust was established in 1999 and is the fundraising arm of GABA - the Gay Auckland Business Association – New Zealand’s largest and longest running LGBT membership organisation.
GABA Trust Chair Gresham Bradley says it was hugely exciting to see such a fantastic result from the Gold Charity Auction.
“Ticket sales and money raised from this year’s GABA Gold Charity Auction surpassed all our expectations and we were delighted to achieve the best results in the history of the event,” says Bradley.
“It is very encouraging for us moving forward to see the support that the LGBT community has from Kiwis, and we look forward to many more successful events in the years to come.”
For more information, visit www.gaba.org.nz.
ENDS

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