PROJECT HOPE: Fashion sell-out adds to coffers

Over the past 20 months of our Project Hope campaign we have had countless groups, clubs, retailers and schools doing their bit to contribute to the required $2 million.
Every person who has put their hand in their pocket on our behalf has made our goal that much more attainable and the final tally less daunting. And through it all, there have been so many innovative, creative, highly imaginative and incredibly diverse fund-raising events. I thought I had seen and heard it all. Not so. It is the truly individual stories that will always stand out in my mind.
We have had 10 year olds such as Mykel Turner initiating fund-raising methods; teenagers like Ryan Palmer, Jordan Hosking, Hannah Gordon and Jessica Armstrong door knocking; and committed adults like Simon Greig who held a pot-luck party while having his head shaved.
The latest to join this elite group is Ian Skelton, who last month informed me that he had contacted all his friends to ask for sponsorship of his Ironman entry at Taupo. Not satisfied with the result: $1200, he decided to give it another shot and go it alone in a full triathlon with him as the only participant. I did consider joining him as the only female contestant since it's the only opportunity I will ever have to come first in the women's section. Common sense prevailed and I simply turned up at the finishing line outside the Mount Fishing Club on Saturday night. Amazingly, he powered down the road and clocked in under 12 hours. What an awesome effort.
Also within the last month, a wonderful American couple phoned me with a very original idea. At the time of deciding to relocate to New Zealand they had an option to purchase a full range of women's clothing from a store which was closing down.
Acting on faith, they took the chance and purchased the clothes in the belief that an opportunity would present itself for them to do some good with whatever profit could be raised. The result will be seen this Saturday when we hold a giant clearance sale.
If you are interested in a great bargain be there: basement area Young Read Woudberg, 13 McLean St, Tauranga, between 10.30am and 3.30pm. All the garments are new and quality fabrics. They have been priced to sell and range from $10 to $25 with a huge rummage box of $5 and $15 blouses, trousers and skirts.
All these unusual events add to our coffers and are greatly appreciated.
However, the truth is that it takes almost as much time and effort to organise a small function as it does to manage a large one. To this end my energies are going into our major fundraiser this year - the proposed black tie dinner, dance, auction, sponsored by Bay European and held in their stunning showroom on Hewletts Rd on April 8.
We have top local artists (Jan Beets and Lichelle and Arona Kerei) and our band is the highly professional and popular duo Double Exposure. We are all determined to have a lot of fun and make it a great night and scoring DJ Brian Kelly as our master of ceremonies is a move in that direction. Food and wine is top notch and the auction items are outstanding.
Our special thanks this week go once again our wonderful anonymous supporter who sent a further cheque for $10,000 to the Bay of Plenty Times (their third, making the total $30,000).
Fundraisers:
* Ladies' clothing clearance sale: 13 McLean St, Tauranga. Saturday 10.30-3.30
* Bay European: Black tie dinner auction. April 8, ph: 574 1866.
* Crown & Badger: Donate 5 per cent of Wednesday takings. They have now raised more than $9000.
* Purchase a tyre from Tyre General (Hewletts Rd) we get a $5 donation.
* Get any glass requirements from Mount Glass and Glazing and we get $5 a job.
* Threads of Hope book $12. Song of Hope CD $9.95
* Any fund-raising ideas call me (Lynette Davies), ph 571 1631.