Opinion: Hats off to charity fundraisers and volunteers

Supper Club at the Novotel last night. Photo/Ben Fraser

It's a big week for charity events in our city, with two popular and long-running fundraisers taking place within days of each other.

Supper Club was up last night, with hundreds donning their glad rags to bid on auction items before heading off to a dining establishment randomly pulled out of a hat.

It's a great concept that has become so popular it sells out months in advance. Most importantly it regularly raises huge amounts for the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Ngongotaha - a fantastic facility that offers families of sick kids a welcome respite.

There will just be time to catch up on sleep after what for many turns into a late night, before it's time for the Child Cancer Charity Breakfast and Art Auction on Friday morning.

Having attended this one in the past, I can say it's another heartwarming occasion, where children who are fighting or have beaten cancer proudly display their artworks for auction. Despite the early hour - or maybe because of it - attendees are always extremely generous.

And one thing we know about Rotorua people is that they're a generous bunch.

So it's important and timely to give a shout-out to all those who put in countless hours of their own time organising events for charity - whether they are glitzy affairs like these two or the more modest sausage sizzles and raffles that go on every day. All are appreciated and all are important.

So to those behind the scenes, and in fact all our charity and community volunteers, a big thank you.