Charity event raises $150K for hospice

More than $150,000 was raised for Hospice Rotorua from this year's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars. Photo/File

More than $150,000 was raised for Rotorua Community Hospice from this year's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars.

The fundraising event was held on August 5 at the Energy Events Centre, with 10 dance couples performing.

Hospice Rotorua funding and development manager Jan Morgan said thanks to overwhelming support from sponsors and the business community, the second sell-out event raised more than $150,000 from a night a glitz, glamour and dance.

She said it was important to deliver another record result for hospice, and that the organisation turned to the community to help make up the $800,000 annual shortfall.

The flagship hospice fundraiser exceeded the $110,000 raised last year, she said.

"There is an appetite for this type of black-tie event in Rotorua as the Energy Events Centre was transformed into a lighting extravaganza.

"The numbers speak for themselves, with 300 more people attending than last year.

Ms Morgan said the sell-out event attracted more than 1970 people, with the tabled seating selling out in record time.

"Who doesn't want an excuse to dress up and enjoy an evening of entertainment, while raising money for a worthy cause?"

She said the event would not be possible to organise without the support of so many individuals and businesses.

Ms Morgan said Harcourts auctioneer Robert Tulp led the frenzied bidding for a fat auction book of items, and thanks to the generosity of the team at Harcourts Rotorua the live auction included a property sale free of sales commission which raised $17,000, along with a $5000 travel package of five nights in Las Vegas thanks to House of Travel.

"I would like to acknowledge and thank all those generous individuals who contributed to numerous silent and live auction items.

"It was fantastic to see our community come together to contribute where it's needed while enjoying a fabulous night to celebrate the efforts of the 20 competitors who sacrificed four months of blood, sweat and tears for hospice."