ABs jersey up for grabs at charity auction

Rachel Warrender and Don Gollan hold Sam Bewley's cycling jerseys. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

An All Blacks jersey signed by the World Cup-winning side is among items to be auctioned for Rotorua charities this week.

The Inaugural Rotorua Charity Luncheon on Friday from 12pm to 5pm at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, is a joint effort by the Rotorua Lakes, North, Sunrise and West Rotary Clubs.

Organising committee member Don Gollan said it had been a lot of fun working with the four clubs and they were all looking forward to the event.

They had sold 440 seats so far and were hoping to sell 500.

Dick Tayler, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, is a guest speaker and rugby commentator Paul Allison will be MC.

Auction items include a range of signed sporting memorabilia, including an All Blacks 2015 Rugby World Cup jersey, a Lydia Ko golf jersey and two jerseys signed by Olympic cyclist Sam Bewley.

"We are hoping to raise $100,000 but any funding is good funding for giving back to the community," Mr Gollan said.

A Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV jersey, signed by the team that won the national schools tournament this year, will be held up by two of the team members as it is auctioned.

Funds raised will be given back to the community through main recipients Whare Aroha, St John Ambulance, and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society. Other recipients will be Rotorua Community Hospice, Riding for the Disabled, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Plunket Rotorua, Rotorua Lakes Coastguard, St Chad's Rotorua, Rural Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Sunset Primary School Breakfast Programme.

Mr Gollan said there would also be donation jars on the tables at the event.

"It's been a big job getting it started up, but the attitudes of those asked to help have been brilliant. We just really want people to enjoy themselves at the event," Mr Gollan said.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster with individual seats priced at $120.