Scenic flights and hot laps with Hayden Paddon will be going to the highest bidder this weekend.
The Temuka Geraldine Rotary Club is holding a charity auction at the Crown Hotel in Temuka.
President Scott Ackroyd said the money raised would go towards multiple projects, but one in particular was the ‘‘Dream Day Out’’.
The day, held yearly, was aimed at disadvantaged primary school-aged children.
Past days had included horse riding, flying or spending the day at a farm.
Mr Ackroyd said when the children were picked up by Rotary members they barely said a few words, but by the time they were dropped home they were ‘‘all mates’’.
‘‘They can’t wait to get back to school to tell everyone about it.’’
He said the initiative had an ‘‘amazing impact on us’’.
He hoped — if the auction was successful — they could hold two such projects a year.
‘‘And that way we can take more kids out.’’
The Rotary theme for the year was creating hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing.
He felt New Zealand was not exempt from the mental health crisis.
Their members had set to work empowering young people.
Mr Ackroyd said the idea of a charity auction was not a new one; he had come about it after looking through the club’s past.
‘‘Back in the ’60s it was something the club always did to raise money. Their last auction in 1965 raised $18,000.
‘‘[It’s] something I’ve been really focused on this year.’’
They had donations of luxurious accommodation, a bungy experience, and rally driver Paddon had offered hot laps.
‘‘We’d love to get the community behind us. Come and bid on things you wouldn’t usually get to do.’’
They also had some things up for auction that would be kept secret until the night.
Mr Ackroyd said he also hoped proceeds could go towards rejuvenation work at the Temuka Community Garden.
‘‘A lot needs to be done there.’’
The auction will be held at the Crown Hotel in Temuka on Saturday at 7.30pm.
Mr Ackroyd said if people helped raise a lot of money, or got an absolute bargain, either way he would be ‘‘rapt’’.
