Chase Annan’s dream of New York is coming to life
A big fat gypsy cocktail party, a fundraising event for Chase, has bought in the final amount needed with support from people all over Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua and Auckland,
Chase Annan is on his way to New York – although the white Christmas is still not finalised.
Chase, 10, was born with cystic fibrosis and has an intellectual disability.
Chase’s mum, Donna Slater, has been putting money aside to make her son’s dream of spending a white Christmas in New York a reality.
Now a big fat gypsy cocktail party, a fundraising event for Chase, has bought in the final amount needed with support from people all over Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua and Auckland,
The event, held at the Cambridge Club on Saturday May 5, hosted around 70 Chase supporters and raised a hefty $3,309.
The force behind the event, Jeanette Cork, hit the ground running after hearing of Chase’s plight and his dream of experiencing a white Christmas in New York.
“I thought, if we are going to do it, we are going to do it well, and the businesses in Cambridge were very generous.”
With the help of friends to do the organising, and Facebook to spread the word, the event was quickly under way with people offering what they could from all over the North Island.
The food was donated, and the band, Scooby Don’t, played for free.
Tarot card readings, photos, donations, love potion shots and raffles all helped raise money on the night.
Amy Banks, manager of the Cambridge Club said they sold left-over goody bags after the event.
“I only asked people for $2 minimum but one young guy came up and donated $20, I was blown away.”
Chase got involved by singing and playing the guitar and drums with the band.
This week, with the money raised from the event, Chase and Donna were able to finalise their trip by paying for the accommodation, insurance, all the stops on the way and the remainder of the flights.
Donna is blown away from the support they have received.
“When we started in March last year we thought if we fundraise at least half, we’ll find a way to get the rest and if it takes two years then that’s what we’ll do.”
In just over a year, they have reached their goal and from here on in, their target is to get a bit of spending money for Chase to make the most of his trip.
The first thing Chase hopes to do in America is to go ice skating outside, “so I can push Mum over”.
He also hopes to visit Helen Clark in the UN, as well as go shopping at the toy shop featured in the movie Arthur, FAO Schwartz.
