The Wallabies jumper that raised USD8,000

What an amazing night. Over 500 people crammed into the Opera Rooms  at the Caravelle Hotel, Saigon. A preliminary total of USD67,000 was raised for the victims of last week’s earthquake in Christchurch. And there’s more to come at tomorrow’s New Zealand Wine Food and Festival.

The NZ Trade Commissioner, Graham Sims thanked the people for coming in such extraordinary numbers. He then read a letter to the people of Saigon from the NZ Prime Minister, John Key. Then there was a pre recorded piece of footage from the Mayor of Christchurch followed by a minute’s silence.

A 2010 Wallabies jumper went for $8,000. One of the two Sydney Swans jumpers went for $1,000. Loads of raffle prizes. Loads of auction items. In fact, there were too many to offload on the one night. So, the rest will be auctioned/raffled tomorrow at the New Zealand Wine and Food Festival.

As John Gardner said,

“Unbelievable guys. It really is hard to comprehend the generosity of the people of this city and at such short notice. The hard work, commitment and working the midnight oil to make this possible is beyond belief. I think Mark (Fraser) said it so well, ‘I have never been prouder to be a Kiwi than I am tonight!’

“And on a personal note, from a Christchurch boy and one who has lost a friend in the disaster, ‘thank you’ is not enough for what we have achieved.”

More to follow.