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MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Monday, 20 August 2006
Tenth Anniversary Rotary Kids Should Have a Ball charity event raises more than $100,000
The Spanish-themed Rotary "Kids Should Have a Ball" Charity Ball and Auction at the Christchurch Convention Centre on Saturday night topped $100,000 in its tenth anniversary year - and has left the organisers still feeling slightly stunned at its success.
The 690 guests applauded when that total was boosted with a $30,000 winning bid from local businessman and staunch Ball supporter, Ray Coupland, who bought a framed guitar, autographed by the Rolling Stones and donated to the Ball committee by the Christchurch Casino.
Son Lance Coupland said his father was now planning to learn to play the guitar - but he would need to get an amp!
Before the event Ray Coupland has said it was the very special and unique nature of the charity items that made this the best charity ball in New Zealand.
"The ball committee has a talent for getting unique items and experiences, getting things that people can't usually purchase for themselves. It's what makes it exciting for the bidders, increases the competition to buy, adds to the fun of the evening and lifts the proceeds. I think it makes the Rotary Charity Ball in Christchurch the best of its kind in New Zealand - and of course, corporate Christchurch is pretty good at putting its hands in their pocket to support it too!,"
And they certainly did. Neil Blanchfield, chair of the organising committee, said the committee was absolutely delighted to have raised more than $100,000 at the black tie event on Saturday night.
"This is far more than we have made before and we can't say thank you enough to the corporates and key bidders who have supported our ball and charity auction to such a generous level. It's just wonderful to have that support coming through, and to be able to pass it on to three worthwhile projects that will make a difference to children living in Canterbury."
The three highest sold items were the guitar, a cocktail party for 40 people at the home of Sir Miles Warren (over $12,000) and a cocktail party for ten people once a month for 12 months at Minx Dining Room and bar ($8000).
Gold Sponsor Emirates donated a return business class trip to Europe for a lucky ticket number holder.
"Over the past nine years this Ball has enabled us to distribute more than $500,000 to charities working with children over the past nine years. This tenth anniversary ball was certainly our best ever."
There were 69 tables, mostly sold to Christchurch businesses..
The Ball is run under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Christchurch, Children's Charitable trust..
Three Canterbury Charities benefit from Spanish Eyes!
- Plunket Car Seats and Baby Capsules Programme, contact Liz Wright, ph 366 0767
- Family Help Trust, contact Libby Robins ph 365 9912
- Rainbow Children's Health Trust, contact Meri Gibson phone 379 7879.
Plunket will use the proceeds to purchase 100 capsules and 40 car seats and make them available for families to hire.
The Family Help Trust will benefit by another vehicle to be used by a social worker in the community; the fourth car purchased from funds raised by the ball in recent years.
The Rainbow Children's Health Trust will receive up to $15,000 towards a medical van enabling specialist health needs to be delivered to families in the eastern suburbs.
ENDS
For further information, please contact
Neil Blanchfield, Chair Kids Should Have a Ball committee, ph 377 1700
and Ray Coupland is on 021 800 003.