Auctioneer Steve Davis provided his services on the night, which saw just on $25,000 raised for two local organisations.
Rotary’s biennial annual Race to Raise Funds did just that recently, bringing in almost $25,000 for the Cambridge Community House and Cambridge Cricket. The CCH took home almost $14,000 from the May 17 event, while the cricketers bagged around $11,000.
The night included a buffet meal, betting facilities and the opportunity to bid on both silent and live auction in the Cambridge Raceway Lounge, overlooking the regular race meet. Rotarian and event organiser Gordon Calder said it was a good result and that the amount raised was on a par the previous three events, held every second year, and that everyone one was “very happy”. As well as a share of the ticket price, the CCH and cricketers took home proceeds from silent and live auctions throughout the night – with both groups bringing along donated items and vouchers to be sold to the highest bidder, and with proceeds going to whichever organisation provided the goods. Auctioneer Steve Davis brought the hammer down on 10 live auctions, held between races, and Gordon said he did a “fantastic job”.
CCH manager, Joanne Turner, said that the funds would be gratefully received as the house continues to struggle to provide services within the confines of their current building. “We are now preparing to apply for building consent for our new building and continuing with our fundraising drive,” she said.
Cambridge Cricket will also put their funds towards their building, with club president Simon Dodds saying the almost $11,000 would be used for much-needed renovations to the pavilion in Victoria Square. “It’s getting a bit run down and small,” he said of the building, which is in line for a $350K renovation to better meet the club’s needs.
