Last hoorah for renowned Tauranga charity auction

Friday marks the end of an era for Tauranga's biggest charitable fundraiser, thought to be one of the most successful in the country.

This year's Tauranga Police CIB Luncheon on Friday 17th October will be the final one, marking a celebratory end to the fundraiser's preeminent 20-year history. It's anticipated to raise $300K, which will surpass a grand total of $2 million dollars raised by the event overall.

As usual, the monies raised all go straight back into the community to make a difference in the lives of others. 50 applications were received to access the funds that will be raised on Friday.

The successful charities include: St John Building Project Trust, Acorn Foundation, Amped4Life, Cystic Fibrosis BOP, Kathleen Kilgour Centre, Te Tuinga Support Services, Decision Reach Out (Toro Mai) Trust, Merivale School.

A sell-out 1500 strong crowd, the largest so far, will fill the ASB Baypark Arena to capacity for an afternoon of digging deep. Tickets sold out in 36 hours.

Guest speaker Greg Ritchie, a former Australian cricketer who played in 30 tests and 44 ODIs between 1982 and 1987, will be supported by New Zealand entertainer and MC Jacqui Clarke.

Electronic bidding is taking place for the first time, which is expected to draw even greater interest in the list of more than 188 auction items- 24 under the live auction of 3 auctioneers and 40 more in total than ever before.

Founder and organiser Detective Sergeant Pete Blackwell says he's been amazed by the constant support of the local community for the event, "With donations of cash, auction items and bidding, I've been blown away by the support. Without it, we don't have an event. All of these contributions have allowed us to make the big difference in the community that we set out to achieve."

Items for auction this year include a framed 2014 British Open Golf flag signed by Rory McIlroy, various exotic vacation packages, a 2014 Commonwealth Games polo shirt signed by Valerie Adams, an MCC Lords 200 Years Commemorative Cricket shirt, a Farmer Auto Group 6 month lease of a motor vehicle, and a barrel of Mills Reef wine.

Mr Blackwell says after two decades of managing what has become a massive community fundraising event, the time is right to move on, "We have achieved magnificent results over the years for the benefit of thousands of local children and young people in our community.

"This is the year when we will exceed $2 million so it seems right to bow out at a time when the momentum is still there for everyone involved. It's going to be an exciting day, where we hope to achieve the best single result we've ever managed, topping $300K in one afternoon.

"We'll be going out on a high note and while I'm sad it will all be over, I'm also humbled by the difference we've managed to make over the years."

The Tauranga Police CIB Charitable Trust is the envy of fundraising groups around the country for its successful ability to unite community, sport and business leaders for charity.

Founded by Detective Sergeant Blackwell, the trust is made up of a team of people including Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner, Glenn Cotterill, Leona and Graeme Smith, John Mathewson of Air NZ, Sergeant Nigel McGlone and Judge Paul Geoghegan. Collectively, they share "Blackie's" vision for improving the local community, particularly for children and youth.

"This small, committed team that has put hundreds of hours into the luncheon year after year- they've eaten and slept this event to make it what it is today," explains Mr Blackwell.

What started modestly with a charity auction that raised $200 in 1995, has grown exponentially, raising a total of $1.9 million since then. $280,000 was raised at last year's auction luncheon also held at the ASB Arena. Funding recipients through the years have included many local sporting clubs, schools, surf clubs, housing trusts and community centres.

It has attracted covetable auction items and top celebrity speakers, often with a sports connection. These have included All Black great Sir Colin Meads, former All Black coaches Sir Brian Lochore and Sir Graeme Henry, Australian cricketing great Merv Hughes, Australian ex-Wallaby, commentator and author Peter FitzSimons, and Australian World Cup winning captain, Nick Farr-Jones.