29 May 2018
The Little Gems Project for Cholmondeley
Over 300 people attended The Little Gems Project for Cholmondeley on Saturday, 26 May in support of Cholmondeley
Children’s Centre which provides short-term emergency and planned respite care and education to children aged 3-12 years
who’s families are experiencing stress or crisis.
“The Little Gems Project is based on the concept that Cholmondeley believes there is a diamond within all of us. We want
to bring out the inner sparkle in every precious Canterbury child - our Little Gems,” says Cholmondeley’s CEO Arron
Perriam.
Cholmondeley’s first annual fundraising evening of Denim, Diamonds and Dancing took place at Sixty6 on Peterborough and
raised over $80,000 through ticket sales, sponsorship and auction items, along with a Diamond Tree raffle.
“The level of support and generosity shown by Cantabrians for our inaugural event for our Little Gems at Cholmondeley
was both humbling and inspiring. To think over 300 wonderful people would gather to support and celebrate Cholmondeley
Children’s Centre is simply remarkable in its own right, but to then collectively raise over $80,000 is nothing short of
extraordinary,” says Cholmondeley’s Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Tanya Cooke.
The event was presented by television host, Jason Gunn and included live music by The Corks, a top-class performance
from Epic Entertainment, a surprise act from the Ballet Academy, and a live auction lead by Phil McGoldrick, Harcourts.
Live auction items included a helicopter flight with Richie McCaw, tickets to Céline Dion in Auckland, a vintage DC-3 flight along the East Coast of Australia, a winter wonderland package to Wanaka, and a
special limited edition gift from Irish legend, Bono. There was also a fabulous 18-carat white gold and diamond cluster
ring kindly donated by Via Sollertia Jewellers that was hidden in a Diamond Tree. Guests purchased a gem from the tree to be in to win this ring, along with other
prizes which included a family trip to Hanmer Springs.
“Cholmondeley with its 93-year legacy of service to Canterbury children has been so blessed to receive such kindness and
generosity from its supporters. As a charitable organisation that is 80 percent community funded, we rely on the
generosity of individuals and businesses. The Little Gems Project for Cholmondeley hosted so many enthusiastic and
engaged supporters and we are truly grateful to them for making our evening a huge success. The funds raised will be
used to continue our vital service and to support our Little Gems and their families,” says Arron Perriam.
For all enquiries regarding The Little Gems Project, please visit: www.littlegems.org.nz or contact Fundraising & Marketing Manager, Tanya Cooke on tanya@cholmondeley.org.nz or 0274473024
ENDS