Rotary's lunch will help local charities

GOOD CAUSES: Rotorua Rotarians (from left) John Murray, Ken Isles and Don Gollan, with just a few of the items to be sold at the inaugural Rotorua Charity Luncheon. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

It's going to be one of, if not the biggest, charity fund-raisers in the history of Rotorua and tables are being snapped up fast for the inaugural Rotorua Charity Luncheon.

Four Rotorua Rotary clubs - Rotorua North, Rotorua West, Rotorua Lakes and Rotorua Sunrise - have joined forces to stage the event on Friday afternoon, November 13, at the Energy Events Centre.

Rotarian Ken Isles said it was a first for the clubs which had formed a special charitable trust to run the event.

"Apart from the obvious benefits to the charities, it's going to be an afternoon of absolute fun," he said.

There will be a large and diverse range of items up for auction, from signed sporting memorabilia to a brand new Hyundai car, a Dick Frizzell print, and Mills Reef wine.

Trust chairman Don Gollan said they would be bringing DJ and rugby commentator Paul Allison from Dunedin to MC the event with guest speaker 1974 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Dick Tayler.

Also speaking on the night would be Sir Gordon Tietjens, long-time All Black Sevens coach.

More announcements of special guests would be made in the coming weeks.

"We hope the people of Rotorua will enter into the spirit of the event and get involved in the auction or make donations.

"It will also be a great afternoon of networking and friendship, all for a range of good causes," Mr Gollan said. "Our overriding desire is for people to enjoy it - and we want them to come back next year and make a real difference to our community."

Mr Gollan said 60 tables of 10 would fill the Events Centre with more than half the tickets sold already.

Local musician Chris Webber will provide entertainment while people can make bids during the silent electronic auction or join the fun of the live auction.

Organisers were still looking for items to add to the auction and encouraged local businesses to get involved - whether it was donating a prize or filling up the tables.

- For further information, or to donate auction items, email rotoruacharityluncheon@gmail.com, or call Don Gollan on (0274) 988 912.