Charity night helps Paumolevuka and Mafua [1]
Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 13:34. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 14:47.
Over $13,000 pa'anga was raised in a charity auction on Thursday night to assist Paumolevuka Tu'i and Mafua Kiokata, the two young men who were left paralysed after being hit by a support vehicle while training for the Tongan Aussie Rules team recently.
Bruce Shaw, the man behind the fund-raising events for the paralysed men was thankful for all those who donated prizes and those who bid for the items at the auction held at the Billfish Bar on October 23. A rugby jersey signed by the members of the World XV who played a Tonga XV to honour the coronation of King George Tupou V in August this year was auctioned for over $3,000.
The two young men remain in Vaiola Hospital.
"This is really one of those great tragedies that no one would wish upon their worst enemy, but sadly there is no happy ending here but we can make their lives more comfortable with your continued support," said Bruce urging those who had not yet made donations to come forward.
Meanwhile, another World XV jersey signed by King George Tupou V has been raffled and it will be drawn at the Nuku'alofa Club on Monday November 3, coinciding with the Melbourne Cup Calcutta night. At the same venue there will also be another auction of more prizes that have been donated recently.
After Thursday night a total of $16,500 has been raised and deposited in an ANZ trust account. Donations can be made at any branch of the ANZ bank into account number 1623140 or by contacting Bruce Shaw at email austonga [at] gmail [dot] com.
Companies who provided the prizes for the auction and other support included Fletcher Construction, Austonga, Royal Beer, Pacific Retail, Digicel, Chatham Pacific, TAFA, TT Diesel, Nusi Taumoapeau, KW, Lunarossa, Air New Zealand, Pangaimotu Resort, Blue Banana Studios, Beach Hut Cafe, Freddy's Butchers, Adrian and Lisa Jallands, Total Fiji, Westpac, Rotomould, Uta'atu & Associates, Edward McCowan and Fiona Mulhearn, Hakula Lodge Vavau, Alice from Davina's, Nishi Trading, Reef Cafe and Hon. Paul Karalus, the Billfish, Bruce Hunt, Elena Rass, Adrian Jallands, Australian Defence, Lee and Roger Miller Viv Puloka, Matangi Tonga, Mark Korsten, TAFA, Tara Naige, Arthur Hubbard, ANZ, Micheal O'Shannessy, and Sue Gardiner.