3rd Annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon for CF
19/Nov/2007
For the third year, the Finnigan's organised an extravagant celebration of the race that stops the nation.
A new venue shed a new light on the event and the intimate gathering of approximately 70 people in an array of hats, fascinators and fabulous outfits brightened up the otherwise drizzly day.
The Thai Naan restaurant in Chatswood was the scene for the event and the food was marvellous. With steaming hot finger food being served with champagne on arrival, the day was off to a delightful start.
The silent auction was full of items for everyone including handbags, jewellery, wine, gift vouchers and sporting memorabilia. With such quality items, the bidding was fierce! The raffle was also a hit with prizes including gift vouchers and a decadent make up package as the first prize. The sweeps were well received with everyone taking a gamble on drawing a good horse.
An exciting bidding war took over as Charles of Real Success Group auctioned off each of the horses racing in the Melbourne Cup. Horses were sold for bargain prices of $90 but the eventual winning race horse Efficient went for over $400 and the successful bidders were very happy with their purchase.
The ladies finery gave their Victorian counterparts a run for their money in the hat parade and the best dressed men were decided by popular acclaim. The winners claimed an array of gift baskets and wine prizes and the room settled in anticipation of the race. With a large screen perched for the waiting guests, the tension grew as the horses lined up in the barrier. The race started and the room erupted in cheers and enthusiastic encouragement for horses a thousand miles away. The final few hundred meters were punctuated by hopeful shouts and declarations of dismay as Efficient made a small number of guests very happy indeed while the rest of the guests basked in the glow of having a fun day out for a good cause.
The Melbourne Cup Luncheons of 2005 and 2006 have raised a total of $60,558.50 and with this year’s smaller event raising approximately $22,000, the event has been a highlight of the fundraising calendar.
Roma and Daniel Finnigan have once again done a wonderful job in hosting this joyous fundraiser and would like to encourage others within the CF community to hold their own fundraiser be it for the Melbourne Cup in 2008 of something smaller. It is an exciting and rewarding experience and whether you raise the $22,000 that the Finnigan’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon raised or $100 at a morning tea, every dollar makers a difference in the lives of those living with CF.
