Vodafone Warriors players displayed some impressive auctioneering skills at the launch of the Great Vodafone Warriors Charity Day, auctioning off exclusive experiences for the charity game day when the club hosts Penrith Panthers at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday, June 30.
The second Great Vodafone Warriors Charity Day sees the club fundraising on behalf of its five charity partners – KidsCan, Le Va, Paralympics New Zealand, Ronald McDonald House and Shine.
Players involved in the auction breakfast were Isaiah Papali’i, Chris Satae, Nathaniel Roache, Hayze Perham and David Fusitu’a. As beginner auctioneers, the players did exceptionally well, raising close to $4000 in just half an hour with people winning different game day experiences including: attending the closed captain’s run the day before the June 30 match, VIP sideline seating at the game, watching the match with injured players in a special suite, and attending the post-match media conference alongside head coach Stephen Kearney.
The launch event kicked off three weeks of planned Vodafone Warriors charity activity in the lead-up to the Penrith game, which will raise awareness and funds for each of the five partners.
Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George said, as a club that is proud to support several charities, this is an excellent opportunity for members, fans, corporate partners, players and staff to come together to support some great causes.
“The charities we are supporting each play a unique role in our communities, be it through supporting vulnerable families, helping victims of domestic violence, caring for sick children and their families, encouraging mental wellbeing, and supporting para athletes,” he said.
“The auction breakfast signalled the start of some really exciting activity in the lead-up to the day. We have been working with our corporate and charity partners to ensure we raise the most money possible. Last year’s inaugural event saw us raise $70,000 and we are hoping to raise the bar even higher this year."
As well as the Vodafone Warriors donating $1 from every ticket sold for the June 30 game, a number of other initiatives are under way to attract donations, with the Ticketmaster website having an option for fans to donate $2 on top of the ticket cost.
The players will donate their playing jerseys from the game, which they will sign before they are all auctioned on Trade Me. The Panthers are also supporting the event with former Vodafone Warrior James Maloney among several Penrith players who will donate their playing jerseys for auction.
Fans have the opportunity to do their bit for their favourite charity as well by entering the unique code for one of the club’s five partners when purchasing tickets. For every ticket purchased with a charity code, the Vodafone Warriors will donate an additional $5 straight to that charity.
Details of the charity partner codes are as follows:
- To support KidsCan – use the code word KIDSCAN at this link.
- To support Le Va, use the code word LEVA at this link.
- To support Paralympics NZ, use the code word PARA at this link.
- To support Ronald McDonald House Charities, use the code word RMHC at this link.
- To support Shine, use the code word SHINE at this link.
