A taste of Italy is on its way to the Bay of Plenty, as the Skin Centre Charity Ball prepares for a night of glamour and fundraising at the ASB Arena.
'A Night In Venice' is billed as one of the premier events to hit Tauranga in 2017.
"We've got gorgeous opera, the Candy Lane dancers from Auckland, Halo which is a fantastic cover-band based in Auckland. So we hope that everybody will be up dancing the night away; having a gorgeous time," says event organiser Helen Fletcher.
Mrs Fletcher says it aims to raise money for three charities that are at the heart of the local community including Waipuna Hospice and Te Tuinga Whanau.
The third will support two local women - Lavina Good and Jessica Wright - in their endeavour to create more awareness on the devastating effects of methamphetamine in the community.
"I have two teenage children, and I've seen the scourge of drugs go out through the community, I felt compelled to spread the knowledge, so that all children can have the power to say no," says Jessica Wright, of the Youth Wright Charitable Trust.
Mrs Wright and Mrs Good will work with top film producers in the coming months to create the campaign - with funding from Te Aranui Youth Trust.
"It's unlike any other drug scene that we've witnessed here. The detrimental effects that this drug is having on our youngsters is remaining with them for life. It's destroying society along the way," says Lavina Good.
The evening will include an auction, where attendees will be asked to donate to these worthy causes.
"We have to close on Friday's now, because we just cannot keep up with the workload, so we're only open four days a week, as of last week. Having income and gifts like what the ball is offering us is just a godsend, because the normal formula of government contracts isn't working in our situation," says Te Tuinga Whanau spokesperson Tommy Wilson.
Waipuna Hospice CEO Richard Thurlow says though they generate income through their local charity shops, the support from the Skin Centre Charity Trust will be amazing to help them continue their work.
"Hospice care is totally free. There is no charge to patients or families. Whilst we get some funding from our DHB, it equates to just under 60 percent, so we have to find the rest - and our community has been incredibly generous over the years."
Tickets for the ball, which will be held on Saturday 13 May, can be found on Eventfinda.
To donate to these charities, go to: www.givealittle.co.nz/
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