Bidding frenzy benefits cancer charity

Auctioneer Paul Whitaker in action at the Property Brokers Relay for Life Charity Auction, at the Opera House Plaza last night. Photo / Paul Taylor

Bay businesses were last night pitted against each other in an all-out bidding war.

It was all part of the Property Brokers Relay for Life Charity Auction, held at the Hawke's Bay Opera House atrium to help raise funds for cancer victims and their families.

About 350 people, many dressed in green in honour of Saint Patrick, were in attendance for the 11th edition of the charity auction.

This year 50 rare and expensive items were sold off by auctioneer and Property Brokers regional manager for Hawke's Bay Paul Whitaker.

Mr Whitaker said at the inaugural auction he asked everyone in the room who knew someone affected by cancer to stand up. "About a third of the room did."

When he asked the same question at the auction's 10th anniversary, the whole room stood up.

He said it was a sobering realisation and all the more reason for events such as last night's auction.

Among the coveted items was an All Black jersey signed by 94-test veteran Conrad Smith, a Wairarapa hunting trip, a Taupo getaway, an Avanti mountain bike, a case of Craggy Range wine, two 18-hole rounds at Cape Kidnappers, a Samsung Galaxy mobile device, a David Trubridge light shade, a tattoo voucher, a tractor ride and scenic flight around the Bay.

Hawke's Bay Cancer Society manager Trudy Kirk said the Property Brokers sponsorship of the auction has been "hugely significant and highly valued".

She said her team were heavily reliant on public funding.

In the 10 years before last night's event more than $300,000 had been raised by bidders, all of which went to supporting the Hawke's Bay Cancer Society. Last night's goal was to raise more than $130,000.