Annual Fundraiser Gig Hits All The Right Notes!

The Kids Love Music Charitable Trust recently hosted its annual fundraising event at Nelson’s cherished venue, The Boathouse, this October. This standout occasion on the KLM calendar exemplifies the best of human spirit in action. Families, work groups, enthusiastic dancers, and devoted Elvis aficionados flocked to the quaint seaside venue for an evening of exceptional musical entertainment, featuring performances by three bands. A brief interlude was dedicated to a suspenseful auction where a captivated audience fervently bid on an array of items, spanning people, places, and things.

Kicking off the musical extravaganza was Tempo, a five-piece ensemble from Waimea Intermediate, who skillfully warmed up the crowd and set the tone for the ensuing night. Following their act, the charismatic Big Papa, led by our founder Wayne Densem, took the stage, masterfully channeling the spirit of Elvis Presley.

The headline act of the night, The Crayons, not only rocked the audience but also serenaded them with some of Elton John’s greatest hits. Amidst a temporary respite from dancing, Breffney O’Rourke expertly presided over the traditional auction. Lucky bidders left with an array of treasures, from getaways and artworks to, quite surprisingly, people. Indeed, individuals were auctioned off – and not just any individuals. Four local political candidates, Jace Hobbs from the Greens, Chris Bailie from ACT, Labour’s Rachel Boyack, and National’s Blair Cameron, volunteered to be auctioned for a stint of hard work. Blair even popped in on the night, offering words of encouragement and even joining in on the dance floor, which definitely added an extra layer of excitement!

The collective efforts of the evening yielded much-needed funds, allowing us to expand our programme to include another school. We are grateful to all who participated, including the local political candidates, and our main sponsors: Abbots Insurance and NBS for contributing to the success of the event and supporting our ongoing work with schools in the community.