Charity Lunch for CareFlight
30 July 2017 / Story by Lindsay Green & Josh Fitzgerald & Photos by Peter Hilkmann & Rob Wilko
Planning started early in the year with a team of 5 setup to organise and run the day. Diann Miller, Helen Green and Grant Webber were the brains and workforce with Hunter Convenors Josh and Lindsay providing support and direction along the way.
The first important part of organising this type of day is to find a suitable location with plenty of parking and great food. This took no time at all as we could think of no better place than Mulla Villa. Mulla Villa offered their 2 course lunch at a discount of $5 per person to assist with the fundraising efforts for CareFlight, couldn’t think of better hosts!
Diann, Helen & Grant went above and beyond with everything they organised. There were many many emails, phone calls, messages and meetings to enable this event to happen. They did a fabulous job and you wouldn’t believe that none of the 3 had organised an event for 100 people before let alone adding raising funds for CareFlight to it. With location, menu and prices locked in, the Google form was next with the event going out live to members, then off to approach local businesses for donations of prizes to assist with the fundraising efforts. From there, the organising team had got in touch with Glenn Thomas to contact club sponsors. They also had a mountain of members offer simply amazing gifts too.
Of course, the above is just the behind the scenes, so let’s get onto the day, once again, no rest for the wicked, organisers at the ready with our pre-organised volunteers leading runs, car parking and selling raffle tickets.
The day started with the Illawarra members who had travelled up to stay the night before meeting with Hunter at the Cessnock Information Centre for a leisurely run through the vineyards from the north, lead by Jen & George and John & Christine. Canberra also had a contingent on a long weekend trip to the Hunter who made their own way, RPM ran from Thornleigh straight up the motorway and Sydney ran from the south heading up the Great Northern Road all to converge on our destination: Mulla Villa Guest House – Cow Shed.
Upon arrival with everyone parked in tight, the fun started with a jelly bean guessing competition at the registration desk and socialising over drinks by the outdoor bar. A huge table with prize packs were on display with many members pouring over the many offerings, taking note of what they’d pick first.
On the gravel drive was the “RC Motorkhana Challenge”, an ND shell mounted on a 4WD remote control car chassis and a witch’s hat course. Up for grabs was a clock mounted in a tyre to the fastest driver of the course.
By the bar, the lucky door prize was announced as the volunteers did the rounds selling raffle tickets. Inside, each attendee had a silent auction card to note down their bid for a number of sought after prizes including 2 x beautiful mounted photographs, a battery powered jump starter, a Mazda Motorsports jacket, VW manufacturer jacket, leather over night bag and motorbike apparel.
The food arrived not a moment to soon with alternate drops of chicken and steak with potato and veggies on the side. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the steak was simply amazing. Mulla Villa seemed at ease serving a large crowd so easily and quickly.
With the last of the raffle tickets sold and silent auction cards in, the drawing of the prizes started. Up for grabs was a swath of prizes including 4 x Passenger Hot Laps at the MX-5 Club of NSW 20th Anniversary of Motorsports in November, Car Cleaning packs, Car Maintenance items, Golfing packs, MX-5 Memorabilia, Picnic basket, Gift Vouchers and Wine packs amongst a sea of other prizes.
With the table cleared of raffle prizes, the winner of the RC Motorkhana was announced with young Alex Shedden being pipped by mere 10ths of a second by the winner and determined rival Graham Fletcher.
Next up was the announcing the winners of the silent auction which by far assisted the Hunter hosted charity day to push past any fundraising expectations.
Dessert started appearing on tables with the most delicious panna cotta wobbling away under a drizzling of berry sauce just begging to be devoured.
Busily working away in the corner was Diann counting up the totals with club president Keith Monaghan announcing to attendees the total amount raised of $3,193.75.
We would like to thank everyone who attended and those who were able to donate prizes to make this day as special as it was. As mentioned at the event, a Hunter Member had recently been flown to another hospital using the services of CareFlight, so Hunter was incredibly proud to host such a successful event for such a worthy cause.
Special thanks to:
Mulla Villa Guesthouse
Sponsors:
Renovo Australia
Deckspeed Racing
Local Businesses:
Repco Warners Bay
Autobarn Warners Bay
Bursons Gateshead
MX-5 Mania
Members who donated fantastic prizes & all the members who generously participated in the fundraising efforts for CareFlight
Last but not least, thanks to the organising team and the volunteers on the day!
Peter's Photos: HERE
Rob's Photos: HERE
