More than $20,000 was raised at the weekend for a nationally unique charitable organisation being established in Central Otago, which aims to help people with cancer through holistic healing and an improved quality of life.
The Canlive Charitable Trust was founded by doctors and cancer survivors within the district, who saw the need for a facility offering complimentary therapy to traditional cancer remedies such as chemotherapy.
It was modelled on the Ian Gawler Foundation near Melbourne in Australia, which taught ways of fighting cancer using an improved diet, a more balanced life, eradication of negative emotions, and meditation.
At the Trust's inaugural charity dinner held in Alexandra at the Cellar Door on Friday night, Mr Burt welcomed about 130 people to the organisation launch, which included guest speaker and former All Black captain Wayne ‘‘Buck'' Shelford.
Funds were raised from attendants of the $100 dinner and $12,500 was generated by an auction of about 12 Central Otago items, including a Nigel Wilson painting and a dinner for 10 at the Rocky Range Lodge, hosted by international chef Scottie McDonald.
Mr Burt said the evening was a success beyond expectations and he hoped to eventually open a facility to people from throughout New Zealand.
Mr Burt said a permanent facility would be established within Central Otago for the Trust to operate from, and would be situated in a relaxing rural setting relatively accessible from an airport.
At the dinner, attendants listened to Mr Shelford's own experiences with cancer, which he was diagnosed with in May last year.
Mr Shelford drew laughs from the crowd with stories from his international rugby days, as well as his personal take on cancer and how it had affected his and his family's life.
‘‘How does a bloody All Black captain get cancer? It doesn't matter how tough you are or well you are, you can get it, and it scared the hell out of me,'' he said.
