MEDIA RELEASE: AUCKLAND – Thursday 16th October 2014 – Central City businesses from networking group BNI Britomart staged a highly successful ‘Giving is Good’ event that raised $13,879 for Mercy Hospice. The event was held on June 19th at local Ponsonby eatery Tin Soldier and featured music, wine and a charity auction. Tickets and auction items raised the phenomenal amount, which was presented to Hospice today at a special breakfast meeting.
Garrick Wynne, Events Coordinator for BNI Britomart, says the amount raised was astonishing considering only BNI members and their partners were present. “There were around 40 people at the event,” Garrick says, “but they dug deep and were very generous when it came to bidding on auctions.” He says holiday and accommodation packages attracted the highest bids with more than fair values being achieved for all the lots donated by local businesses and members. “The final total of $13,879 has gone directly to Mercy Hospice – we presented a cheque to the organisation when they hosted our networking group for breakfast this morning.”
The presentation ceremony took place at Mercy Hospice, where BNI members viewed the facilities and got a better idea of exactly how Mercy Hospice operates. Mercy Hospice Fundraiser Stephne Vaughan says BNI members gained a deeper understanding of Hospice and the services provided to patients and their families from the Auckland community.
“It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the BNI Britomart members and to learn how the local businesses joined together to create a spirit of giving in their local community,” says Stephne. “We are very truly grateful to BNI Britomart. We are absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of money raised by BNI Britomart, which will go directly towards patient care and supporting families in the Auckland City community at a difficult time.
BNI Britomart meet weekly above People Café 38 Ponsonby Road at 7am Thursdays. They currently have around 20 members and are always looking for new businesses to join the group.
WOW say Stephne Vaughan, Fundraiser for Mercy Hospice Auckland (pictured with the BNI Britomart members) we were speechless when presented the cheque for $13,879.00! What an amazing group BNI Britomart is – they really embody the spirit of community giving.
