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Up to 500 people are expected to gather for the rare chance to dine and dance by the Warkworth waterfront, at the inaugural Riverside Dinner, next month.
Mahurangi Sunrise Rotary and Warkworth Lions are joining forces to put on the fundraiser for Warkworth Wellsford Hospice and Mahurangi River Restoration Trust on March 11.
The 22 tables, between Wharf and Kapanui Streets, will look out to the Mahurangi River where the historic scow Jane Gifford will moor for the occasion. Aboard will be the Warkworth Brass Band performing a variety of big band favourites.
The night will end with a DJ to continue the dining and dancing. Toastmasters chairman Murray Chapman will MC.
Rotary convener Arnold Nicholls says the dinner is a good chance to fundraise and have fun.
“It’s going to be a lovely meal and a darn good time,” he says.
He was inspired by the ‘Night at the End of the Tunnel’ dinner held in the Johnstone Hill road tunnels, in 2008, which attracted 2000 people and raised $100,000.
“Everyone had a ball. I figured why can’t we do something here in Warkworth.”
Warkworth Wellsford Hospice is building the Tui House day centre in Glenmore Drive, due to open by the end of this year. After raising $4.5 million, they need another $500,000 to cover project cost increases.
General manager Kathryn Ashworth says hospice puts on its own fundraisers throughout the year, but only has a small group of volunteers and appreciates it when others organise events.
“We have an incredible community and this is another way they show how much they care,” she says.
The Mahurangi River Restoration Trust is working on a dredging programme to remove the build-up of silt in the town basin that threatens to damage pontoons and restrict movements of the Jane Gifford and other boats.
Info: Riverside Dinner, 11 March, 6pm-10.30pm. $95 per ticket. Email riversidedinner1@gmail.com for tickets or to become a sponsor. Tickets are also available from Warkworth i-SITE and Lee & Hart Pharmacy.
