The Grocery Charity Ball 2004

The 2004 Grocery Charity Ball was held in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand.
Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life-threatening disease affecting caucasian children in New Zealand, and currently there are more than 350 sufferers in the country. It is not contagious, but an inherited disorder caused by both the child’ parents being carriers of an abnormal gene.

Cystic Fibrosis causes the mucus in our bodies to become very thick and sticky, blocking the tubes and ducts to our various organs. Air passages in the lungs become blocked, trapping bacteria and causing shortness of breath, a chronic cough and repeated infections – leading to irreversible lung damage and even death.

Cystic Fibrosis is currently treated by intensive daily chest physiotherapy. enzyme replacement medication, and antibiotics when necessary. However, despite the fact that these treatments do prolong the lives of sufferers, there is still no cure for the disease.

Held at the Hyatt Regency in Auckland on Friday 13th August, the 2004 Grocery Charity Ball raised $100,000 in support of Cystic Fibrosis – providing funds for research into new treatments, support for families affected by the illness, and laptop computers for sufferers - enabling them to take up the educational opportunities we take so much for granted. For more information about Cystic Fibrosis or to make a donation, visit the association’s website here.

Watched by fellow Grocery Charity Ball Trustee Scott MacKay, Don Graham hands over a cheque for $100,000 to Kate Russell, General Manager of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand.

Charity Ball has raised $1million+

Since the Grocery Charity Ball Trust was set up 5 years ago, over $1million has been raised for New Zealand Charities.

Established in late 2003, the Trust chose Cystic Fibrosis to be the beneficiary of its inaugural charity ball in 2004, and was thrilled at the response from the grocery industry which saw $100,000 raised on the night.

The Trust received over 50 applications from potential beneficiary trusts the following year, all deserving charities for the 2005 Ball. From the applicants, the Trustees selected Project K, and the 2005 Grocery Charity Ball raised $150,000 for this children's development trust.

In 2006, Cure Kids became the recipient of the Ball's fundraising, and the amount raised by the over 600 people who attended doubled to $300,000.

Believing that the 2006 figure would be difficult to eclipse, the Trustees were astonished when the 2007 Ball raised a staggering $500,000 for Life Education - enabling the Trust to fund two new mobile classrooms in the greater Auckland area.

"Although this year's donation of $150,000 to 0800 What's Up and Hearing Dogs For Deaf People is down on the previous couple of years," says Trust chairman Ross MacKenzie "It's still an excellent result in a recessionary economy. It's quite humbling for the Trustees to appreciate that the grocery industry has now donated $1.2million to 6 worthy charities in New Zealand."