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.
"But this year's amount of over $500,000 for the Life Education Trust went way beyond what we expected," says Trust chairman Ross MacKenzie. "It's not only fantastic for the Life Education Trust, but it's humbling for the trustees to know that the grocery industry has now donated over $1million to 4 worthy charities in New Zealand."
The amount of the donation to be made to What's Up and Hearing Dogs after the 2008 Ball has yet to be finalised.
For the first time, the Trustees of the Grocery Charity Ball chose two charities to be the Beneficiaries of the 2008 Grocery Charity Ball.
For further information about the Beneficiaries, visit