From: The Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind
Charity Auction Success For Foundation For The Blind
The Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind's Charity Auction, held to launch Blind Week 2000, has generated $77,000
from supporters who attended the function.
"The evening was a great success," says Jeanette Manson, National Manager Funding Development. "Guests were served with
Champagne cocktails on arrival, followed by a three course dinner with wine - and after the announcement of this years
Blind Achievers' Award winners, the Charity auction started."
Highlights from the auction included:
The item with the highest bid was the 15-day tour to Northern Thailand, which went for $4350.
Other top bids were $3000 for travel, accommodation and tickets to the Wildfoods Festival; $3150 for a catered, Club
reserve box for 12 people at a Super 12 2001 game and autographed jersey; and $3700 for a trip for two to New Caledonia.
Items of interest included $1050 paid for a seafood lunch for six people cooked in your home by a chef; $2500 for
naming rights to a Class 1, 1600m race at Ellerslie Race Course in January; $950 for a flight in the Police helicopter
"Eagle"; $1000 paid for a Richard Hadlee limited edition cricket bat; $400 for a round of golf with Grant Fox and Paul
Thompson; and $280 for a flight in a DC3 Dakota aircraft.
"One gentleman paid $200 for a gift basket of doggy delicacies - but does not have a dog, so he generously donated the
gift basket straight back to the Foundation's Guide Dog Services," says Ms Manson.
"And the item we expected a lot of interest in, a pair of signed boxing gloves from David Tua, went for $1000. We think
that the new owner might have got a great deal - depending on the outcome of this weekend's boxing match!"
The Foundation would like to extend its sincere thanks to MC John Campbell, auctioneer Michael Williams, the businesses
that generously provided items for auction, other corporate sponsors who made the function a success and the all of the
guests.
"We hope that had an enjoyable evening and would love to see them all back at next year's event, says Ms Manson, "their
support is very much appreciated."
The Blind Achievers' Award winners for 2000 were Performing Arts: Caitlin Smith (Auckland), Sports: David Monk
(Tauranga), Arts and Craft: Kirsti Twamley (Auckland), Business/Employment: John Peterson (Christchurch), Literature:
Jim Henderson (Auckland).
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For further information, please contact Catherine Hennessy, Communications Co-ordinator, RNZFB,
on Ph: (09) 355-6884 or 021-687-426.