A Night to Remember

28/02/2015

Already seen as a ‘must attend’ event after just two years, the Foundation’s annual black tie fundraising dinner – A Night to Remember – reached new heights in late-February.

More than $75,000 was raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, auction items and raffle with donations received after the dinner lifting the overall amount to past the $80,000 mark.

Funds generated go directly to the Foundation’s work of establishing world-class, life-changing medical research in Dunedin… for the benefit of tens of thousands of New Zealanders and millions more around the globe.

Our keynote speaker was the inspirational Tony Christiansen, who has packed more into his 56 years than most can dream of; magician and illusionist Andre Vegas amazed and, occasionally, shocked us; and Shane Cortese and his 8 Track Band had the dance floor packed in a two-hour non-stop grand finale.

Nine of the 2014/2015 summer research scholarship recipients were on hand to assist, auctioneer Rob Fowler’s performance was a show in itself, and the Hi-Fives promotion gave two guests – lucky raffle ticket buyers on the night – the chance to vie for prizes worth almost $150,000.

It was a terrific night of entertainment and bookings are already being made for the 2016 event, scheduled for late-February.

This year’s naming rights’ sponsor was Oyster Executive Recruitment which was joined by OceanaGold NZ (associate sponsor) and Armstrong Prestige, Volvo New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Forsyth Barr, House of Travel Dunedin, NZI, Vero Liability, QBE, Speight’s Brewery and Misha’s Vineyard as supporting partners.

Summer scholarship students on stage	Shane Cortese and the 8 Track Band keep dance floor space at a premium	Tony Wilson (left) and Sharon Hyndman (right) head to head in the Hi Fives promotion

Guest speaker Tony Christiansen	Illusionist Andre Vegas