$26,000 in tickets kick-starts fundraiser

Linley Parry

The 2015 Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Supper Club tonight at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside is expected to be the best yet.

Organiser Linley Parry said prizes are still coming in for the annual event, which raises money for the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Ngongotaha.

The retreat provides a week away for families who have been affected by a sick child or parent.

"We are completely blown away and it's getting more and more exciting every day, with more prizes coming up for auction. It's really exciting.

"We have a very loyal and generous following, more people continue to surprise us," Mrs Parry said.

The big prize up for auction is return flights for two from Auckland to Seattle and a seven-night Alaskan Explorer Cruise with Holland America and Hawaiian Airlines, worth $12,000, from Harvey World Travel.

Mrs Parry said any money raised would be put to good use.

"Tomorrow when we walk in the doors we would have raised over $26,000 from ticket sales so it's a really good start and anything we do above that is awesome. The tickets sold out a few weeks ago."

Harvey World Travel Rotorua owner Deborah Kay was proud to have donated the big prize.

"It's probably one of the most beautiful charities. It stays in Rotorua and it's for Rotorua, it's very local, so it sits well with me and sits well with the business."

Harvey World Travel had been involved with the Supper Club for three years, and had increased the value of the prize every year.

"We hope to be involved for years to come. It is a really good night, it's huge. It is one of the main events on the calendar in Rotorua's business networking, and you can win something.

"People can come along and enjoy the event or participate in the silent auction, it is a lot of fun."