Hawke’s Bay youth set to benefit from Hastings Karamu Rotary Cocktail Party fundraiser
After a COVID-19 enforced cancellation in 2020, the 29th Hastings Karamu Rotary Club cocktail party is set to raise funds to enable the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust to deliver programmes focused on improving the health and wellbeing of youth.
Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust chairman Sir Graeme Avery said the cancellation in 2020 was a huge setback after a total of $175,000 was raised from the cocktail party in 2018 and 2019.
“We do rely on the generous support of the community to assist in the continuation of a range of programmes that we deliver such as athlete development and programmes that focus on at-risk youth and creating positive career pathways.
“The Trust is incredibly grateful to the Hastings Karamu Rotary Club for supporting our vision of creating opportunities for young people to achieve their potential.
“It was a setback to not benefit from the event last year and we’re still in uncertain times, so we’ve all got our fingers crossed that the event will be enjoyed by over 440 guests,” Sir Graeme said.
Hastings Karamu Rotary Club cocktail party co-organiser Angus Thomson said the cocktail party is heading towards being a sellout and the club is looking forward to bringing people together for a night of entertainment as well as for a worthy cause.
The event, MC’d by local identity David Todd of Toddy Talks, will be at a new venue, Clubs Hastings on July 30.
A charity auction including 16 amazing items, such as a WW2 Trainee Pilot Experience in a 1943 North American Harvard and Aquamarine Pendant & Earrings by Grieve Diamond Jewellers.
An online silent auction is also being held in the lead up to the event and a raffle with the major prize being a Whitianga Experience will also be held during the evening.
Proceeds will help fund several Trust programmes including Education Outside the Classroom – a physical literacy and healthy lifestyle programmes for primary schools; an Obesity Reduction Research Study; a Youth Potential Academy for at-risk youth as well as contributing 50 per cent of fees for individual athletes in the Trust’s Athlete Development Programme, with whanau struggling financially.
“The Hastings Rotary Club is focused on improving opportunities for the people of Hawke’s Bay and our fundraising will help ensure all school children have the opportunity to attend, learn and challenge themselves. The Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust ticks all our boxes.
“Success in sport develops character, leadership and self-esteem of the individual, along with resilience and life skills.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Hawke’s Bay community, with our largest event being our Annual Cocktail Party. This event has enabled us to raise over $2 million from sponsors, donors, supporters and attendees for over 28 years for some great local charities,” Mr Thomson said.
For more information, including tickets visit www.thecocktailparty.nz
