A black-tie charity dinner and ball in aid of Christchurch earthquake relief is being organised by a group of Wakatipu friends inspired by the fable of "stone soup".
Rachel Evans, Cheryl Langford, Briana Pringle, Jackie Rule, Julie Scott, Megan Shallcrass and Maree Wheeler have organised a Champagne reception, three-course dinner, charity auction, live music from Queenstown covers' band Swamp Donkey and comedian Dai Henwood, for the fundraiser.
Up to 280 revellers are expected for the event, which will be held in the Skyline restaurant, on Saturday, May 28. The Champagne reception begins at 6pm and dinner at 7.30pm.
Among the 39 items listed for the auction are a portrait by artist Deidre Copeland valued at $9500, seven nights' accommodation in The Lofts apartment complex, a round of golf for two at Jacks Point, hire of Peregrine Winery as a venue, plus adventure activity passes and bar vouchers.
The organisers said the concept behind the function was the story of a small village where the people all thought they had nothing, but made a hearty pot of soup to feed the entire village and visiting travellers, when every individual contributed one small ingredient.
Miss Shallcrass said on Friday all of the organisers knew people affected by the earthquake that hit Christchurch on February 22.
Everyone felt a bit useless after the Christchurch earthquake and wondered what they could do to make a difference, she said.
"We thought if we put on a really good positive occasion and raised money for Christchurch, it would be a winner all round."
Tickets cost $145 per person and are available from McCulloch and Partners, on Church St, in Queenstown, and the Lakes District Museum, in Arrowtown.
All proceeds from tickets and the auction will go towards the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
