FAWC: Spirited bidding aids helicopter

Kirsty Moffett, left and Diana Roberts, from rural Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor

The bubbles and the bids flowed last night at the annual glitzy fundraiser for Hawke's Bay's rescue helicopter.

Auctioneer Simon Tremain left the smartly dressed participants at the 23rd annual Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Trust Cocktail Party in no doubt that he expected them to dig deep for a good cause.

"You can't just bid once or you get thrown out," he told the crowd at Lindisfarne College in Hastings.

Auctioneer Simon Tremain keeps the charity auction bids flowing. Photo / Paul Taylor

Up for grabs were 14 lots ranging from jewellery to fine wine and dining experiences.

Even a motor racing getaway with legend of the sport Greg Murphy was on the auctioneer's block.

Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust chairman Andy Train also primed the crowd to give generously, saying it was for a life-saving cause.

"Usually I say, 'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen', but tonight it's, 'Good evening, big spenders'," he said.

The crowd enjoy the fun of the fast-paced auction. Photo / Paul Taylor

The pep talks appeared to work, with the first experience to be auctioned off - a degustation dinner package at Elephant Hill Winery - going under Mr Tremain's invisible hammer for $5000.

Run by Hastings Karamu Rotary Club, the event this year merged to be part of Hawke's Bay's Winter FAWC! programme.

The cocktail session preceding the auction had a "reds and rotors" theme with a lady in red competition for the most dazzling outfit and other best-dressed awards and prizes.

The $95-a-head function attracted about 500 attendees and was expected to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the Rescue Helicopter Trust.