$20,000 has been raised in the annual GABA Charitable Trust Christmas auction, a new record. The fully sold-out event held Sunday 5 December saw 120 donated items go on the block, with many fetching higher than expected reserve prices. "I thought it was a fantastic day and it's very exciting to have finally broken through the $20,000 mark", says Judith Thompson, Chairperson of the GABA Charitable Trust. "The first auction in 1998 raised under $10,000, and we were happy with that. We never then imagined that the Christmas Auction would become this wonderful tradition in our community and would be so successful." Top dollar bids included Elton John's autographed CD "Peachtree Road" fetching $1550, a 7.5 ft Christmas tree with 700 lights fully decorated reaching $1050, and 3 boxed sets of cellar wines donated by the late Dr Chris Thomas bringing a grand total of $975. Two hot bidding wars saw separate dinners with MP's Georgina Beyer and Chris Carter topping $1000 combined. GABA President Richard James thanked their Trust Patron, former mayor Christine Fletcher, for hosting the event. The GABA Charitable Trust distributes money to non-profit organisations working in the gay community and providing services. Recipients of funding this year have included Auckland Gay
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 17th December 2004 - 12:00pm