Marathon effort for Masquerade fundraiser

Written by Imogen Brophy

Adorned in gowns, suits, and masks for the CureKids Masquerade Ball, guests partied for a good cause on Saturday night.

The event, held at the Marlborough Convention Centre, was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Will Hall and special guest Ben Barrington from Shortland Street.

Music was provided by Eclectic Fix after a flash mob performance of Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera by the Blenheim Musical Theatre.

Guests of honour Emily Barsanti, 11, and Sophia Binns, 10, answered questions about their experience with inflammatory bowel syndrome, raising awareness for the charity being supported on the night.

Organisers Simon Popham and Kaycee Polkinghorne say being able to help CureKids raise funds was a pleasure.

“I’m delighted the vision we had was able to be pulled off,” Simon says.

“I got quite emotional listening to Emily, Sophia and their parents speak about how CureKids has helped them. The impact they make is incredible.

“Being able to have the girls there on the evening was wonderful to give a local face to an incredible national organisation.”

A live auction was a big hit with people bidding for wine, weekend getaways and even a first dance with Ben.

The generosity of guests was much appreciated,” Simon says.

“We were also blown away by the generosity of everyone throughout the live auction, it really made the evening worthwhile.”

The ball raised $13,000 for the charity and for Simon and Kaycee to compete in the New York Marathon as a part of the CureKids team.

CureKids is the second-largest children’s health research body in New Zealand.

Simon and Kaycee will be running on 3 November 2024 but need to raise $20,000 to compete. All money raised goes to CureKids.

Donate at https://nycmarathon.curekids.org.nz/simonkaycee

See more photos in the next Marlborough Weekly and Marlborough Magazine.