Hadlee helps Waipawa pupils (+video)

Sir Richard Hadlee speaking at a Waipawa School fundraiser last night, at the Municipal Theatre in Waipawa. Photo / Paul Taylor

Waipawa Primary School pupils will become more technologically savvy thanks to the vision of a group of mothers.

About 10 mothers, coming together "for the betterment of the school", last night got the ball rolling in raising $15,000 through a dinner and auction at the CHB Municipal Theatre in an "Evening with Sir Richard Hadlee".

"We're probably behind where other schools are with technology," said Nicola Fryer, a mum who is part of the school PTA which calls itself "Whanau and Friends".

The fundraising initiative, in conjunction with the Waipukurau Rotary Club, began with a sold-out dinner for 180 people at $60 a head at 6.30pm. An hour later, the doors were opened to those paying $25 for 150 general admission tickets as well as a glass of bubbles and nibbles.

Sir Richard, the guest speaker, provided memorabilia to auction.

Sixteen items were auctioned, thanks to the generosity of 29 sponsors.

Mrs Fryer said they had some great sponsors and the principal backer, Ravensdown, was "amazing".

The initial plan was to snare the runners-up of My Kitchen Rules (MKR), the reality-TV show, for the night but "we couldn't afford them", she said.

Paul Clothier, of Havelock North, was last night the highest bidder to play an 18-hole round of golf with Sir Richard at the Cape Kidnappers Golf Course (listed on Trade Me) today, with two other friends.

Sir Richard also donated a full-size bat, framed and autographed, detailing his career milestones as the country's most famous cricketer.

He also donated a collection of items, such as photos, balls and miniature bats bearing his signature, as well as a frame-by-frame, limited-edition prints item depicting his bowling action.

The auction catalogue offered items including a gourmet barbecue evening with Raymond van Rijk, a David Trubridge-designed kina lightshade, seven nights at the "Pines Bach" in Marlborough Sounds, a one-night Kaweka Hunt package with professional guide Rob Holt and a weekend at Kairakau Beach.

Mrs Fryer said Sir Richard's name cropped up during the New Zealand-Australia co-hosted ICC World Cup in March and someone with cricketing clout put them on the right track.

"We looked it up on the website. Sir Richard and his wife, Lady Dianne, responded fairly quickly and we were away," she said, delighted with the legendary cricketer's generosity.