Tea cups raised for cause

Tricia Duncan (left), Hetta Smith, and Hazel Cameron had a ball at the Ladies Garden Party raising money for Bellyful Tauranga. Photo / Andrew Warner

Wet weather didn't stop local ladies attending a garden party event for a good cause.

About 50 women where sheltered by a big, beautiful, white marquee as they attended the Ladies Garden Party at Fountain Gardens in Whakamarama on Saturday.

There was high tea, a live auction and entertainment as well as bubbles and a pop-up photobooth.

Regardless of the weather, Tauranga mum Kristy Harper said the best part about the event was being able to relax with friends in a "baby-free zone".

"Relaxing and eating nice food and drinking bubbly is a bit of a treat," Ms Harper said.

The fundraising event was organised by Bellyful Tauranga, a nationwide volunteer organisation which provides meals to families with newborn babies and families struggling with illness.

The venue, food and auctioned items were all donated to boost the fundraising, said Bellyful Tauranga co-ordinator Karen Watts.

About $1000 had been donated which Ms Watts said would be enough to feed at least 60 families.

"We're doing this to provide meals for newborns and families who do not have the support," she said.

"There's a lot of new people in the Tauranga area who don't have that support."