Charity Dinner

Each year the Upper Hutt Cossie Club fundraise for a selected charity, and this year the Cancer Society is getting the benefit of the club’s generosity, with the targeted aim to raise $25,000 for the Society during the year.  Last Sunday evening we attended a Charity Dinner at the Cossie Club, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Society.  The Upper Hutt volunteer drivers, like Robin, received their tickets gratis by the Cossie Club.  The drivers spouses and other club members paid a  very reasonable $30 for a buffet meal and glass of wine, followed by evening entertainment provided by eight bands.  

Robin enjoying a glass of cheeky red

The buffet meal was very tasty, and we enjoyed hot ham carved off the bone, roast beef, fish fillets wrapped in salmon slices, and a selection of vegetables.  Dessert was the New Zealand favourite of pavlova, fruit salad, and ice-cream.  A glass of red or white wine, bubbly, or orange juice was supplied, and the meal finished with tea or coffee.  Once we were sitting back comfortably after our meal, the Charity Dinner Auction got underway.  The package was “A fine dining experience in your own home for six people incorporating a selection of top quality wines and five delicious courses cooked by the Cossie Club’s award winning chef”.  The bidding started and the auction raised $800 for the Cancer Society.  What a wonderful prize, but the bidding was way above our price range.

Plenty of people at the Charity Dinner

One by one the eight bands took to the stage to entertain us.  We loved the Irish band “Shenanigans” and their rollicking versions of “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Raggle Taggle Gypsy” really got our toes tapping. 

Shenanigans Irish Band

I’ve always been an Elvis fan, so I really enjoyed seeing Brian Childs perform.  This artist has spent hundreds of hours learning every move, every note of every song to get things right.  His costumes are copies of the jumpsuits that Elvis made famous in Las Vegas.  His beautiful voice, the moves and gyrations all take you back to memories of Elvis himself performing.  Brian Childs won the “Search for the Best Elvis Impersonator in Australia”, and has taken his show to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Memphis.  I can remember when I was a young girl and first heard Elvis singing “Love me Tender” and was smitten – I’ve always loved those beautiful ballads.

He’s singing just for me!

Many thanks to the Cossie Club for putting on such a good evening for the Upper Hutt Cancer Society Volunteers, to the sponsors and the bands who donated their time and talents for this worthy cause.