Helicopter service seeks uplift from auction

TAKE-OFF: The Karamu Rotary Club's launch for the annual charity auction for the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service last night was marked by Vidal chief winemaker Hugh Crichton (left), rescue service trust chairman Andy Train and Rotary club organising committee chairman Andrew Taylor with a painting by Havelock North artist Kate MacKenzie. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

One of the biggest Lowe Corporation Rescue Service calls of the year has gone out with on Friday night's launch of an annual charity auction to help finance the lifesaving helicopter missions.

Run by the Karamu Rotary Club, the auction set for next month was launched at a cocktail party at Vidal Winery Restaurant and Cellar Door in Hastings.

The organisers said the launch was a "great way" to showcase the auction which would be held at Lindisfarne College on June 19, and is included in the programme for mid-year wining and dining festival WINTER F.A.W.C.!

The launch was aimed at supporters and sponsors, and promoted some of the lots to be offered at the auction, which last year raised about $60,000 of the $2.2million needed to run the service which flies 300-plus missions each year.

Among the offerings at the auction will be a three-lap spin around the Manfeild Autocourse, in a V8 supercar driven by four-times Bathurst 1000 winner and Hawke's Bay motor racing legend Greg Murphy.

Two people will be flown from Hawke's Bay Airport by helicopter to the motor racing circuit at Feilding and return.

Another offering will be a pair of diamond-studded earrings, which organisers say have been independently valued at $5100.

Tickets for the auction are $95 each, or $900 for a table of 10.