It’s set to be a stunning night of fine food, amazing guest speakers and awesome entertainment at the Waikato Women’s Refuge annual gala dinner fundraiser at Claudelands on Friday, March 6.
Coinciding with International Women’s Day, Saving Rose is the refuge’s major fundraiser for the year and chief executive Roni Albert said the event is a vital financial lifeline to supporting the critical work that the refuge does in the community.
“We operate 24/7 to ensure we can reach families as and when they need the help and support on their journey to living a life that is free of fear and without the threat of domestic violence.”
Glen Osborne
The evening will consist of a three-course Māori fusion dinner, live and silent auction, kapa haka, entertainment, fashion and more.
This year, media personality Alison Mau will MC the evening; she currently leads a team of Stuff journalists in the national #metoonz investigation into sexual harassment in New Zealand.
Celebrity guest speaker is former All Black Glen Osborne, who recently graced the screens in Dancing with the Stars where his nominated charity was The Women’s Refuge. As well as being a thought-provoking and entertaining speaker, Glen will be performing with his Dancing with the Stars partner Vanessa Cole
All of the money raised at Saving Rose will help towards the operating costs and services the Waikato Women’s Refuge provides.
Waikato Women’s Refuge is New Zealand’s largest women’s refuge organisation. It operates safe houses and domestic violence support services for women of all ethnic backgrounds who come from throughout the region to receive help in Hamilton city.
Albert said the Saving Rose event was very important for the refuge’s survival.
“We have budgeted for $2.5 million of funding from Government and a further $200,000 from non-government sources. Our expenses are budgeted at $3.4 million – so we rely on other fundraising to make up this shortfall,” Albert said.
“We rely on fundraising, donations and grants to make up this difference.”
In its fifth year, Albert says raising awareness was the overall aim of the event.
“It’s really awesome to share our journey with the wider community and show the range of things that we do,” she said.
Saving Rose, Friday, March 6 from 6pm until 11pm, Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton. To purchase tickets visit www.waikatowomensrefuge.co.nz/events, contact info@wwrt.co.nz or call 07 855 1569.
