Breakfast auction makes local agency top fundraiser | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

A Rotorua auction has been rated the best fundraiser in the country after raising more than $13,000 for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Professionals McDowell Real Estate beat their counterparts throughout New Zealand by raising the most money with their charity breakfast and art auction in March. All companies within the Professionals group host a fundraising event for child cancer.

Principal owner Ian McDowell said he was proud of what his staff and the community achieved.

"The day was extremely successful, especially when you take into account the current economic climate. We had great support from local businesses who donated items.

"It was also a team effort. All our sales people and everyone in the office got behind selling the tickets and organising the event. We worked as one big team, which was great."

Since 1995, Professionals McDowell have donated more than $220,000 to the foundation. Nationally, the real estate group has given $3.2 million with part of the money used towards buying and maintaining holiday homes in Taupo and Queenstown.

Rotorua Child Cancer chairwoman Cath Mott said donations and fundraising were vital for helping more than 30 local children with cancer, many of whom painted artwork to be sold at the auction.

"The kids were totally blown away by the amount of money they got for their paintings, it was just wonderful for the families to see local businesses getting behind Child Cancer."

The funds help provide petrol and food vouchers for families, take children out on day-trips, provide scholarships and to assist with any individual family needs.

"Child Cancer is a non-profit organisation with no affiliation to the other cancer foundations so we rely solely on the community to support our local children," Ms Mott said.