Ports of Auckland raises $50,000 for Cure Kids

Monday 5 May 2008 Ports of Auckland raises $50,000 for Cure Kids thanks to ‘overwhelming support’ from industry

Ports of Auckland has helped raise more than $50,000 for Cure Kids thanks to overwhelming industry support of the Company’s first ever Charity Golf Event, held last Thursday 1 May. Port customers, suppliers and business associates were so enthusiastic about supporting the charity event that the golf tournament was technically ‘over-subscribed’. One hundred and twenty-eight golfers comprising 32 teams entered, and despite the rain they fronted up to the Gulf Harbour Country Club in support.

“We’d hoped for up to 30 team entries, so to get 32 teams, some having to tee-off together at the shot-gun start, was just fantastic,” said Manager Sales and Marketing and tournament organiser, Richard Potton.

The combination of entry fees, on-course donations and auction proceeds culminated in the impressive donation to Cure Kids, an organisation that works to fund research into lifethreatening illnesses that devastate the lives of children and their families. Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen said he was delighted but not at all surprised by the level of support from the Company’s partners in the shipping and transport industries.

“The event has provided a rare opportunity for us all to join together and work to raise much needed funds for a worthy cause. We must thank everyone involved for their generosity,” said Mr Madsen. The children, for whose benefit the tournament was run, were top of mind throughout the day and evening – each golfing team sported the name of a child helped by Cure Kids, complete with their photo on prominent display.

The tournament was a light-hearted affair with added elements around the 18-hole course to ensure golfers had every opportunity to make a contribution to Cure Kids. For example golfers were able to make a donation for Philly Meti, long drive world champion, to hit a drive shot on their behalf, or they could make a bet against course pro Mike Duncomb on the ‘Gambling hole’.

Hole eight presented a chance to score a hole- in-one and win a 2008 X-type 2.1 Jaguar, and at Hole ten, golfers teed off from the top of a container packed with champagne.

At the dinner, guests were entertained by MC and sports personality Tony Veitch and also addressed by Cure Kids ambassador Alex McKay, a cystic fibrosis sufferer. Guests also had the chance to bid in 10 open auctions and 20 silent auctions for items ranging from a 42-inch plasma television to dinner for 20 cooked in the winning bidder’s own home by Kit Pereira. Mr Madsen said: “This inaugural event was a true success and we look forward to making this the first year of an on-going partnership with Cure Kids.”

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