More than $30,000 has been raised at the annual Gay Auckland Business Association’s (GABA) Charity Auction held at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday.
Hosted by Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup, the money, which will be a considerable increase on last year once the silent auction has been finalised, will go towards charitable cause within the local gay community.
The crowd of around 150 of Auckland’s business community lapped up some 73 items on the day which were announced by Skjellerup, auctioned off by Michelle Maitland and presented by Mr Gay New Zealand, Matt Fistonich and Miss Leda Petit.
The highlight of the auction was a romantic five night holiday at The Havannah in Vanuatu, which sold for $4,300. Other items included alcohol, event tickets, sculptures, paintings and an advertising package for Eikon.
Fistonich also auctioned off his Official All Blacks Jersey that he wore at the Mr Gay World competition in Cape Town.
Proceeds from the annual auction are passed to the GABA Charitable Trust for disbursing to LGBTI causes and projects and student grants.
Applications for financial assistance relating to participation in the forthcoming Auckland Pride Festival will open next week and for grants for more generalised community projects will be accepted in March.
Last Updated on Nov 16, 2015
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