New Zealand sportsman Eric Rush was the drawcard at a Cromwell Rugby Club fund-raiser on Saturday night, which generated more than $50,000 from an auction sale.
The dinner and auction attracted more than 400 people.
Organiser Heath Whyte said the event "exceeded all our expectations".
"Last year we made $24,000 and this year the auction items alone made more than $50,000," he said.
A Ford Ranger light truck sold for $42,000 and a jet ski for $15,000.
Mr Whyte said other big items included an ice axe signed by the late Sir Edmund Hillary ($6000), and a signed 2008 All Blacks jersey ($1050).
More than 30 items auctioned also included a framed golf ball signed by Tiger Woods.
