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Posted on Monday July 11th 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
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With catastrophes such as the Christchurch earthquake taking centre stage, many organisations are now forced to find innovative ways to raise funds, rather than competing on street corners for pocket change.
Sustainable Coastlines, a young charity that in only two years has motivated over 12,500 school students and volunteers to remove nearly 700,000 litres of rubbish (over 20 full shipping containers) from the coast, have pulled together an impressive list of artists to perform at their fundraising ball on Saturday the 23rd of July.
Instead of simply putting out their hand, they have decided to offer punters a big night of entertainment in return for their support.
New Zealand's top concert pianist, the world renowned Michael Houstoun, will treat guests on the grand piano, while top jazz ensemble The Nairobi Trio will play the strings.
Then Barnaby Weir, the talented singer/songwriter of The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties fame will play his critically acclaimed solo set and local favourites Grand Central Band will top the night off.
They even have popular celebrity Clarke Gayford on board as an MC, to complete an all-star line-up of entertainers at the stunning waterfront venue of the Hilton Auckland Hotel.
All artists are donating their time for the function and the venue has been provided by the hotel, whose staff have volunteered in Sustainable Coastlines' events over the past 18 months.
"With the recession hitting New Zealand right when our charity started and natural disasters here and abroad, fundraising has been tough for us" says Sam Judd, Co Founder and Events Director of Sustainable Coastlines, "but I think we are lucky: all Kiwis love the coast and we are humbled to have such incredible artists supporting the cause, which means we can offer people something back for their hard-earned money."
With so many causes competing for the donated dollar, this young charity seems to have found a way to turn fundraising into a fun night out. "You won't find us hawking for change on the street corner" says Judd, "it is just too tight out there. We have to entice people with something they will enjoy as well as feeling good about supporting the cause."
Sustainable Coastlines 2011 Charity Ball
7.00pm, Saturday 23 July, 2011
Hilton Auckland Hotel, Princes Wharf, 147 Quay St, Auckland
Tickets are on sale through the charity website-
www.sustainablecoastlines.org