Wed 13 Oct 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Two Ponsonby real estate agents are going head to head in a house-selling challenge to raise money for Help Out in October. The 'gay crisis month' initiative has already seen people out and about in K' Rd gay bars pull around $2,500 out of their pockets over the past two weekends, giving the fundraising drive a solid base in its goal to raise $25,000. The major Help Out in October events are to be held near the end of the month. The GABA Charitable Trust will divide the money raised between Rainbow Youth, Body Positive, OUTLine and the Charlotte Trust. Nick Boyes Harcourts Ponsonby residential auctioneer and marketing consultant Nick Boyes says he decided to get involved when he was sent a Help Out in October link on Facebook. He challenged leading estate agent Steven Glucina from LJ Hooker in something off a sell-off, and the pair will donate $40 from each property they sell this month to Help Out in October. Boyes has had involvement with gay groups in the past, previously working for Auckland Sexual Health Services in the Education Unit and having some dealings with Rainbow Youth. He has also collected for the NZAF and worked as a volunteer for the Hero Parade and a Hero party. "I'm a great believer in helping out in the community in whatever shape or form and somehow over the last few years life got in the way and I haven't been so proactive. I am not 'on the scene' so do not frequent night clubs and am not a part of any gay community groups so thought this is a small way to contribute while getting on with life," he says. "My partner of seven years and I live and work in one of the most gay friendly locations in New Zealand and it would be wonderful if all GLBT were part of a community that loved and respected them and celebrated who they were, but unfortunately that is not the case so that is why we need these community groups."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 13th October 2010 - 11:02am