Oxfam celebrity auction huge success

Nikki Gapes, Dominic Bowden, Carita Fenning and Jono Kenyon raise money for Oxfam at the Element Celebrity Charity Auction at the Britomart Country Club. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

A truly star-studded line-up gathered in Auckland on Thursday night to support the Element Celebrity Charity Auction. The Element team, which is walking 100km as part of the 2014 Oxfam Trailwalker, raised $13,000 on the night.

The Britomart Country Club filled up quickly with stars and generous bidders who parted with their hard earned cash to support Oxfam. Readers can catch some of the celebrity photos in Herald On Sunday's SPY this weekend.

Stephen Johnson from Harcourts Cooper & Co Real Estate proved yet again why he is one of the best auctioneers in Auckland. Building single dates from $50 to $2000 is quite a rare talent and very entertaining to witness.

MC Jo Holley engaged the audience wonderfully and supported with the auction by reinforcing the details of each unique celebrity up for sale.

The highest bid was for a day with X Factor host Dominic Bowden in LA to experience the red carpet at a film premiere. Guest Carita Fenning parted with $2000 for herself and a friend for this once in a life's time experience.

Overall, the night was a huge success and the Element team is now the highest fundraiser so far for the 2014 Oxfam Trailwalker.

"What a fabulous evening! It was an absolute privilege to attend Element's celebrity auction, raising funds for Oxfam New Zealand's work with vulnerable communities across the Pacific," Oxfam New Zealand's Marketing Director Gwen Green said.

"It was a hugely fun event, raising a serious amount of money. Thank you so much to everyone involved."

Ash Lomberg, the event's key organiser, added: "I'm completely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. Thank you so much to everyone involved."

All that's left now is for the Element team to walk the 100km...

Please support the team and Oxfam by going to the following address and donating what you can to make a huge difference to someone's life. It will only take you fiveminutes but your donation will transform peoples life's for ever. You can make a donation at www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz/otw14/teams/element-team

Thanks to all our sponsors the Britomart Country Club , Merediths, The Hilton's Fish, Orleans, Shore Road Café, Revelry and The Kitchen Collective, Mark Fewtrell Message Therepy, Force X Volicity, Vada and Asics.

Special thanks to our wonderful celebrities and we hope you enjoy your dates! The list includes: X Factor Host Dominic Bowden, Cameron Jones, Charlotte & Samantha Harrison, Stephen McIvor, Belinda Henley, Carly Flynn, Melodie Robinson, James MacOnie, Guy Williams, Sharyn Casey, Clint Roberts, Jono Kenyon, Brent Newdick, Kayla Cullen, Thane Kirby, Carena West, Hamish Pinkham, Geordie McCallum, Ella Langsford, Holly Cassidy and Lauren Matthews.

And a special bow to the talents of the dynamic duo Stephen Johnson and Jo Holly.