The Grocery Charity Ball 2007

The 2007 Grocery Charity Ball held in Auckland on Friday 31st August raised over $500,000 for the Life Education Trust (www.lifeeducation.org.nz)

Established by Trevor Grice in New Zealand in 1988, the Life Education Trust was based on a concept that had been set up in Australia teaching children about the wonder of life - enabling them to make decisions about any negative influences that might impede the development of their fullest potential.

Nearly 20 years later, the Life Education Trust's mobile classrooms are booked out two years in advance at primary and intermediate schools throughout New Zealand - bringing a totally positive approach to health education to over 200,000 children each year. The Trust's mascot, Harold the Giraffe, has become the most recognized mascot by children in New Zealand - with 94% remembering who Harold is, and 86% remembering the messages he conveys.

And although the Life Education Trust employs 40 educators taking 19 different learning modules to primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand, there is still a huge unfulfilled demand for the Programme.

The donations raised at the 2007 Grocery Charity Ball will fund the construction of another mobile classroom for the Life Education Trust's use in its greatest area of need (Central Auckland), complementing the fleet of 40 mobile classrooms already on the road up and down the country.

Annual Grocery Charity Ball

After the coldest week in many a year, revellers at the annual Grocery Charity Ball let off steam at one of the best Balls in the past eight years. Perhaps it was the masquerade theme that kept many guests incognito, maybe it was a sign that the recession is over, or maybe it was a reaction to it snowing in Auckland; whatever it was, people had an absolute ball.

Once again, an amazing sum of money was raised during the evening - $235,000. This year the beneficiary was The Hearing House. The funds raised from the 2011 Grocery Charity Ball will help deaf and hearing-impaired children reach their full social and academic potential by ensuring they can listen and speak at the same level as their hearing peers.

Masked revellers took advantage of the Grocery Charity Ball Photobooth iPhone App to upload their pictures, and at times it was difficult to get people away from the Silent Auction tables, such was the interest shown for the many great items on display.

The hilarious Dai Henwood was an interesting choice as Master of Ceremonies and his wicked sense of humour went down well with particular sections of the audience and not just those who may have been over imbibing.

Craig Davson and Heather Brocket lived up to their reputation as stunning entertainers, with outstanding performances of some old favourites.

The evening saw the crowd open their wallets,and this year’s Ball took the accumulated grants made by the Grocery Charity Ball Trust over the last eight years to just under $2million.

This is a remarkable tribute to the grocery industry, and positions the Grocery Charity Ball as New Zealand’s most ‘giving’ charity evening. Both The Hearing House and the Trustees have been humbled by the industry’s continued generosity.

“Another great success,” said Grocery Charity Ball Trust Chairman, Don Graham. “The support the industry gives the Ball is unbelievable”

You can see photos of the ball at the Grocery Charity Ball Photo Stream by clicking here. Or view the official photo's on the QuikPix website.