Foundation of the Blind Celebrates Auction Success

Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind Celebrates Auction Success

The Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) celebrates after fantastic results from their recent online and live auction event. From the 10th to the 17th of May the RNZFB hosted an online auction on TradeMe.co.nz and then on the evening of the 17th 150 guest gathered at the Hilton Auckland for a live auction cocktail event. Over $80 000 was raised as a result of the fundraiser.

Jeanette Manson Divisional Manager of Fundraising at the RNZFB, says “We are very excited about the results and the consequence this will have on the Foundation. The public, businesses and on-going donors really made this event successful.”

But there was more to celebrate at the live auction event, that astounded the guests. Lion Foundation Grants and Donations Manager, Don Judkins, presented a $200,000 cheque towards RNZFB Guide Dog Services. The presentation elated the Foundation, “We are truly delighted about the generosity of the Lion Foundation, it was the perfect finish to an already fantastic fundraising event,” says Ms Manson.

It was the second year that the RNZFB had hosted a fundraising event on TradeMe.co.nz and the items and support from bidders continues to increase. Kind support from Solutionist, Auckland based website system specialist who donated a Website management and development package was received at a bargain price of $4,150, along with two tickets to Singapore kindly donated by Singapore Airlines that raised $3,150. Over 200 items online, were donated by New Zealand businesses, organisations and members of the public which resulted in the online auction raising over $50,000.

The red carpet live auction cocktail event was a true celebration of the RNZFB. Guests were treated to ongoing canapés by award winning restaurant White, live music by Caitlin Smith and DJ Ruffian and the entertaining antics of MC John Bridges. Auction items including a trip to Europe with accommodation at Hilton Trafalgar, a signed sketch of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and three five dollar notes also personally signed were key highlights of the evening.

As the Foundation celebrates the success of the live and online charity auction plans are already under way for a bigger and better auction event in 2006.

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