Kids' work on auction at Child Cancer Charity Breakfast

Carol de Farias and Kylee Douglas with some of the items up for grabs including an artwork by 5-year-old Joshua Gallagher. Photo/Stephen Parker

Special artworks by a group of lucky Rotorua youngsters are set to go under the hammer with some expected to fetch several hundred dollars.

It's all part of The Professionals McDowell Real Estate's Child Cancer Charity Breakfast and Art Auction which sees Rotorua children living with cancer create art works to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.

It's an event that's been around since 1995 but according to organiser Kylee Douglas it's as popular as ever.

Fellow organiser Carol de Farias said the vibe of the event was what made it so special, with the kids walking around and proudly displaying their artwork as it was being auctioned.

"It's doing something for them. They see they can make a difference," Ms De Farias said.

A good mix of people attended every year along with new people, which made for an exciting event.

Many of the children created their artworks at a special Art Attack workshop last weekend.

As well as the artworks, a huge variety of other items are up for grabs ranging from signed sports memorabilia to a bottle of John Key's own label pinot noir.

The breakfast normally sold out and this year was looking to be no different with tickets selling fast.

This year marks the Professionals' 20-year partnership as a Gold Star sponsor with the Child Cancer Foundation. In that time McDowell Real Estate has raised $560,000.

The art auction and breakfast will be held between 7am and 8.30am on Friday, March 21 at the Distinction Rotorua.

Tickets are $30 an are available from The Professionals or by phoning Kellie on (07) 348 4159.