Hahei Bridge Club Charity Day

By Pauline Stewart.

Forty bridge players generously donated their table money and raised over $1000 for the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust. The fund-raising event took place at the Hahei Community Hall on Tuesday, 11 April with an afternoon’s bridge.

“We have historically run a charity day once a year, but Covid got in the way over the last couple of years,” said Don Barry, Hahei Bridge Club President.

“This year’s event was particularly special and close to our hearts as we ran it in memory of Bill and Annette Cummings who tragically passed away during the lockdown Covid restrictions.”

Bill, who was President and trained many players across the peninsular, was a great supporter of the Cancer Support Trust. Robyn Hogg, immediate past president and in charge of organising the day noted, “We had bridge players who knew Bill and Annette come from Auckland, Rotorua and Whangamata, along with locals and Mercury Bay Bridge Club members. People dug deep into their pockets to support the charity and we were overwhelmed by the response. The event also gave us the chance to share memories and provide closure for our two great friends.

“Bill was a tremendous advocate for the Trust, and we hope our donation will help them look after locals in our community who have to deal with cancer,” said Robyn.

Jody Bower, Chairperson for the Cancer Support Trust, said, “We are delighted with the generosity of the Hahei Bridge Club. The Cancer Support Trust is an important part of our community and support like this certainly helps us deliver services to locals.”

Caption: Left to Right: Trevor and Margaret Hodgson (Rotorua), Robyn Hogg, Raewyn Whitham, Barry Scott and Maggie Urlich, all from Auckland, taken on the Charity Day.