Lions Club caps off a ‘fruitful’ auction

Savouring every drop; patrons acquire a taste for philanthropy.

The Lions Club of Newcastle hosted a wine auction at The Cannon on April 9 at 6.30pm.

In between sky-high bids, guests snacked on delicious cheeses and an array of first-rate wines.

Janneman van der Berg, who was the auctioneer for the evening, had his hands full with the crowd’s ‘antics’.

In support of the pride, the Lions received bids of more than R1 000 per bottle.

“The most expensive bid of the evening was a whopping R 1 700 for a sponsored 2008 KWV Roodeberg Blend 1,5 litre magnum by Lions President, Lize Smith,” said member of the Lions Club of Newcastle, Christinè Harburn.

Fellow philanthropist, Roberto Harburn purchased a Lion Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, and requested all the women from the Club sign the bottle. Later, he donated the bottle back to be auctioned off a second time.

Tim Williams stepped up to the plate, and purchased the personalised bottle for R1 450. In keeping with the spirit of giving, Mr Williams donated it back to Lions to be auctioned off at the Miss Newcastle grand finale on May 7.

“The club would like to thank Penelope Williams of Vino Veritas for her donation of sampling wines, as well bottles of Reserve Veritas wines for auction,” added Mrs Harburn.

The Lions Club of Newcastle thanked all those who played instrumental roles in the overall success of the event.

“The taking for the evening has surpassed R 25 000, and to this we can only say: ‘Newcastle you are a wine lovers county’!” she concluded.