Titanium star sparks fierce bidding at Supper Club

SOLD: Titanium pop group member Jordi Webber with Rotorua New World owner operator Greg Dyson, who purchased him at the Supper Club event. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 020414BF1

A fierce bidding war for people wanting to score a date with Titanium star and heart-throb Jordi Webber helped spur this year's Supper Club event to raise a whopping $77,000 for the Ronald McDonald Retreat.

The total was almost $20,000 more than last year's record breaking total, with all the money raised going to help families whose lives have been turned upside down by something like a child's terminal illness or a parent dying.

The event was at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside where there were cocktails and canapes before an auction and a random draw of restaurants and lodges for dinner.

Supper Club organiser Linley Parry said she was shocked by the amount raised from ticket sales and the proceeds of the live and silent auctions.

She described the total raised as "frightening" and said it was a credit to all those who supported the event.

Rotorua New World owner operator Greg Dyson purchased Mr Webber for $850 because he used to work at the supermarket as a grocery assistant.

Mr Dyson said many of the staff at his table for the event remembered Mr Webber, so were keen to win the prize of having him sing at an event or dinner of their choice.

He hadn't yet planned what that would be - and said shoppers at New World might even find him singing there.

Speaking at the event were Jack and Gaye Cranston, McDonald's franchise owners from Bulls who supported the retreat being built, but never imagined they'd have to use it.

They said on December 20, 2011 life was great and they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their sixth grandchild. Then they got a phone call from their daughter.

"There was no heartbeat. On the 24th of December we held a funeral for a 6lb baby boy who looked otherwise perfect," Mrs Cranston said.

She said the following months were tough on everyone but in October 2012 the family got a chance to spend a week at the retreat and that was a chance for the family to build some new, happy memories.

"Have no doubt, there is a huge amount of gratitude," Mr Cranston said.