The generosity of bidders at this year's Tauranga Police CIB charity auction was a great testament to the spirit of the city.
Raising $190,000 in one afternoon is a truly impressive achievement, especially given that it significantly exceeded the target of $150,000.
Congratulations are due to the organisers of the event, which has been running successfully since 1992.
Bringing together the speakers, the guests, the array of items to auction and all the other logistics is a labour of love that must require an enormous amount of work, but has a huge payoff for that charities which benefit from the fundraising.
Kudos must also go to the sponsors who each year donate the auction goods.
As the economy has contracted many charity activities have suffered from a lack of forthcoming funds, but the auction on Friday showed no sign of being hit by the recession, with 85 lots going under the hammer.
The support of an array of sporting stars and local dignitaries also contribute toward the auction's success. And those who put their hands in their pockets for the cause give the greatest help of all.
It's an event to be proud of and, what's more, it enables some extremely deserving programmes to continue their important work in the community.
Tauranga Riding for the Disabled programme, one of the major recipients of this year's funds, is a well-run volunteer network that has been shown to have almost miraculous results.
The therapy that is possible through working with horses can have not only physical effects but also mental and emotional.
This truly is a cause worth supporting, as is the Positive Pathways Relationship Services programme for at-risk youth, which also receives a share of the auction proceeds. Omanu Junior Surf Club is the other beneficiary.
What a lot of good has been done in just one afternoon.
_ Laura Franklin, editor
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