By PHILIP CHANDLER
Funds raised from a Wakatipu High School Foundation dinner and auction last Thursday almost doubled last year’s record.
The foundation, which supports the school to provide the best all-round education for its students, raised a record $80,383, after costs, from its dinner this month.
About $55,000 was raised from live and silent auctions, with the balance from the $245-a-head ticket sales.
Guests included local-based celebrity chef Nadia Lim, who donated $20 a book from sales of her latest book.
WHS Foundation chairman Wayne Foley bid $7000 for a lunch with Lim, then redonated the item, which raised $6500 a second time.
He did likewise with a print from late artist Tim Wilson — bidding $10,000, then redonating it, with a second bid attracting $4000.
Foundation executive officer Mia McGregor says she’s ‘‘blown away by the generosity of our guests’’ and event sponsors, including title sponsor Jarden.
‘‘The funds raised will go a long way towards supporting the $400,000 of programmes we are funding this year at WHS.’’
On the top of the money raised, Colliers Otago also donated $20,000, bringing its overall contribution since 2013 to $548,000.
