It’s time to put your glad rags on . . . and all for a very special cause.

Two-time WEG veteran Maurice Beatson has joined forces with Kerry Willetts, Jaime Campbell and Christine Dawkins to organise the Casino Royale Ball to help New Zealand’s best head to WEG. It is one of a number initiatives being held to raise around $120,000 for the championship-bound showjumpers.

Hopes are high the black tie evening – set down for August 11 at the Cambridge Town Hall – will raise in excess of $30,000. As well as a fun evening, there will be nibbles throughout, a drink on arrival with a cash bar to follow, all the popular casino games, and cash prizes for the top three players.

There have been a number of very generous donations for the evening’s auction including a luxurious seven-day accommodation package in a two bedroom apartment suite at the five star Marriott Phuket Beach Club in Thailand from Peter and Fiona Hammond; stays at two fantastic holiday baches – one at Waihi Beach from the Morrison family and the other at Taupo from Sally Clark and Maurice; and service fees to Olympic Cup winner Euro Sport Centavos and Zed, a thoroughbred who has a thrown a number of very successful racehorses and sport horses. Also on offer is a clothing package from Penny Stevenson, a breaking-in service from Kit Brooks, a Whittakers chocolate package from Della Wordley and gorgeous Ashwood Estate wine from Gisborne courtesy of Merran Hain.

Plans are afoot to also have a run of smaller silent auctions run through an app with bids possible from those who aren’t at the ball. A live band will entertain punters into the wee hours.

Maurice says he knows only too well how challenging it is to fund a WEG campaign and was more than happy to step up and help. It’s a similar story from Willetts, who is known for his passion for showjumping.

Jaime, who runs the very successful Takapoto Estate Show where $20,000 was raised for the WEG showjumping campaign, is confident there will be plenty of support for the ball.

The $110 tickets are available now through Eventfinda and there will also be a Facebook page set up for the event. Ticket sales are limited to just 250 and expected to sell fast. Anyone keen to donate to the showjumping effort can contact Kerry (027 430 3230), Jaime (022 455 7284) or Christine (021 520 301), or do so through the givealittle page.

The links:
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/casino-royale-ball/cambridge  
https://www.facebook.com/events/818274611699587/
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-get-the-nz-jumping-team-to-weg

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison