Leona Smith and Wendy Roberston, organisers of the Ladies' Charity Lunch. Photo/Supplied
The countdown is on, with less than a week to go to the long-awaited Ladies' Charity Lunch.
Nine hundred women will gather at ASB Arena this Friday for the lunch which aims to raise more than $100,000 for two local charities, Tauranga Riding for the Disabled and Hawaiki Rising Voyaging Trust.
"Hawaiki Rising Voyages offer youth the chance to discover what is possible to achieve in their lives," says organiser Wendy Robertson.
Youth voyage for eight days on a waka, guided by an experienced team. They gain personal growth, increased confidence, courage, acceptance of cultural diversity and a greater understanding of New Zealand heritage.
The Tauranga RDA Therapy Centre provides opportunities for therapeutic riding, independence and increased self-esteem for people with mental, physical and cognitive difficulties.
The event has a star line-up of guest speakers - founder of Augustine fashion brand Kelly Coe, founder of Motivate Me, Makaia Carr, and former The Bachelor contestant Kate Cameron will be MC.
The inaugural lunch has been organised by two local women, Wendy Robertson and Leona Smith, who say it will be one of the largest gatherings of women at a single event in Tauranga.
With a shared passion for charity and fundraising, the pair has a collective 20 years' experience in event management and fundraising.
Wendy is former event manager of the Ladies' Long Lunch and DARE Fight for Youth corporate boxing events, and Leona spent years assisting retired police officer Detective Sergeant Pete Blackwell in organising the former Tauranga Police CIB Charity Luncheon.
She is also chairwoman of Riding for the Disabled board.
Wendy says the theme for this Friday's lunch is "embrace, accept and celebrate".
"It is about embracing each other for who we are, accepting ourselves for what we are, celebrating being a woman in all its fabulousness."
The lunch is a chance for women to take a break, get together with friends and let their hair down in a fun atmosphere.
"Women are very good at putting everyone else first and being very critical of themselves. This event is a day to push that aside. It is a day for them to relax and enjoy themselves and each other's company," says Wendy.
The lunch includes an indulge fashion segment at 12.45pm organised by Miriam Berquist-Staite, who has directed countless shows at events for Repertoire, including indulge's model competition, indulge Bay Model.
With the use of golds and silver, the fashion segment will add a sparkle to the luncheon.
The female models volunteering their time are Deanne Stewart, Sally Bell, Hayley Whistler, Edwina Heath, Dechan Holley, Abbi Smith, Lyn Bennett, Nicola Smith, and Nicole Bennett Smith. Male models are Clayton Mitchell, Theo Smith and Leon Samuels who will model a men's collection for Bond and Co.
Kelly Coe will show her spring collection for Charlo and Augustine.
gorgeous women that are all from one family, says Miriam.
Sisters & Co, Wallis and Annah Stretton will be showcasing fabulous outfits from their collections.
At the conclusion of the catwalk show, each of the six stores have generously either donated an outfit from their range or a $1000 voucher as one of the auction prizes.
Also adding spice and flair to the lunch are the Bond Boys, a selection of Bay men who will be dressed in black dinner suits or tuxes and bow ties thanks to Jason Dovey of Bond & Co menswear.
Wendy says the tables can bid for the men's VIP services.
"Our 'Bond Boys' are there to enhance our ladies' experience at the event during the day.
They will deliver drinks, ensure that wine glasses are full and there is plenty of water on the table. They will deliver the auction items to the table for viewing and assist the women with bidding should they need help. "These men are gentleman, not slaves, but they will be in hot demand as there are only 30 gents on offer with 90 tables at the event.
The first 30 tables to bid will win themselves this service that will ensure their day is a fun and relaxing one."
Amongst these men is Will Johnston from The Hits Bay of Plenty, who says he is happy to play the role of slave to women. "It is a role I excel at and I think people will recognise that and bid fiercely for my services."
Failing that, Will says he might resort to some tactics.
"If no one bids for me I guess that might seem embarrassing, so I might have just have some surprises in store for the ladies like any self-respecting James Bond should."
Other bond boys include MP Clayton Mitchell, members of the Bay of Plenty Steamers, personal trainers, real estate agents and local businessmen.
The list of more than auction prizes is impressive and a reflection of how local businesses have really come out in force to support both the event and charities, says Leona. "We are using cutting-edge technology with a simple-to-use electronic bidding system that ensures guests are able to enjoy the event without hovering around bid sheets.
The bidding information will be displayed live on the big screen along with hand-held devices and personal smart cards, so bidders can easily keep track of their favourite items, get notified of higher bids, and re-bid frequently, generating competitive bidding."
Prizes include a $4000 skin package from Caci Clinic, a girls' spa weekend including the use of a luxury Mercedes from Ingham Sears, lunch at Mount Maunganui's Hide Bar with Shortland Street actress Miriama Smith, a diamond pendant from David Peet jewellers, a Deadly Ponies handbag, Chaos and Harmony boots, a Guns 'n Roses signed Fender guitar and iPhone 7. There are also some quirky items including a vasectomy from Bay Urology and a methamphetamine testing package.
The organisers say they have a vision for this event to become an annual fixture on the Bay social calendar, giving ladies that once-a-year opportunity. "We want to do it every year, but each year we will change the charities, so that many different causes can benefit."