Steve Holmes performs with Amjazz dancers. Photo/Supplied
Steve Holmes performs with Amjazz dancers. Photo/Supplied
It was all wintry glitz and glamour at Rotorua's Novotel as people dressed in their best and raised $56,000 for a cause which focuses on helping the future generation.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside held its fifth annual Cure Kids Ball last Saturday evening. All 220 tickets were sold.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside HR manager Julie Marino says AccorHotels supports Cure Kids across the whole country.
She says some of the proceeds from the ball will go towards AccorHotels Fiji Race to Survive to Cure Kids.
AccorHotels in Fiji is working to improve the odds for the children of Fiji.
The race is a three-day event which will take place in Fiji from October 30 to November 2 to raise funds for Cure Kids and make life-changing differences to the children in Fiji.
It incorporates running, orienteering, and kayaking. Participants also take part in a number of community-based projects.
Two staff members from Rotorua's Novotel are travelling to Fiji to take part in the race.
Julie says the first year the Cure Kids Ball was held, 160 tickets were sold and $17,000 raised. This year 220 tickets were sold and the event garnered a fundraising total of $56,000.
"Every year has grown and we've raised more money."
The ball includes pre-drinks, a three-course meal, drinks and a show with dancers and a band.
She says this year's theme was Winter Wonderland.
The venue was set up in a Winter Wonderland theme. Photo/Supplied
"People get to dress up and have a great night together.
"It's only a small team of us who pull it together. We start in January and it is always held in June or July."
Julie says Cure Kids is a great cause for the community to get behind.
Sally Carr, Novotel Rotorua Lakeside HR co-ordinator, is one of the staff members training to go to Fiji to participate in Race to Survive.
She says preparation has been going well, doing a lot of training in the gym.
Cure Kids identifies a lot of rheumatic heart disease in Fijian children, and with the Race to Survive fundraiser, AccorHotels is looking to raise FJ$1 million this year.
