Range of items up for grabs at charity auction

MEMORABILIA: Chris Smith with an autographed painting of Colin Meads and wearing a signed All Blacks Sevens jersey from Rio for the Rotary Rotorua Charity Luncheon. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

An array of signed memorabilia will be up for grabs at the Rotary Rotorua Charity Luncheon, giving people the chance to add precious items to their home decor.

The event, hosted by Rotorua's Rotary Clubs, will be held on November 11 at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, and will include live and silent auctions, and a lunch.

Auction leader Chris Smith said new confirmed items included a signed painting of Colin Meads, a signed All Blacks Sevens jersey from Rio, a Rob Waddell canvas to be signed at the event, and an oar to be signed by Rob Waddell at the event.

Another up for grabs is a framed and signed photo of the first double amputee to summit Mount Everest, Mark Inglis. The frame also has an authentic rock from the summit ridge attached to it.

Mr Smith said the previously reported auction item of $12,000 worth of double glazed glass for a house from Metro Performance Glass had been broadened.

It was now a donation of glass products to the total value of $12,000, he said.

This excludes aluminium and/or wooden components, any installation labour and site travel.

He said so far they had between 110 and 120 items confirmed for the auctions, and were aiming to have 140 before the event.

"We are trying to think of items left-field rather than the same old, and make it an enjoyable afternoon."

Mr Smith said they were hoping to get the booklet which displayed all the items out at the end of this month, so people could see what was up for auction.

He said it had been quite stressful working to get auction items together, but they had some great support and helping the beneficiaries was going to be rewarding.

"It's about making more awareness and getting behind these organisations."

He said all the rotary committees had been working "tirelessly" to put the event together.

Olympic gold medallist rower Rob Waddell will be the guest speaker. Waddell was chef de mission for the New Zealand Olympic team in Rio.

The major beneficiaries this year are St Chad's Charitable Trust, Heart Foundation Rotorua and Plunket Rotorua.

The pool beneficiaries are Rotorua Chaplaincy Trust, Older Persons Community Centre (Parksyde), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Rotorua Trails Trust, Kiwican, Tipu Ora and Lifelink Samaritans Rotorua.

The Details:
-What: Rotary Rotorua Charity Luncheon
-When: Friday, November 11
-Where: Energy Events Centre
-Tickets: Available at TicketMaster, Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre. Table (of 10) $1200. Individual ticket $120