THAT’S WHEELY GENEROUS: AUDI MAKES RETURN TRIPS AT BALL
GOLD Coast developer Soheil Abedian set the Mayoress Charity Foundation ball auction alight on Saturday by shelling out $50,000-plus for a car – then donating it back.
The Audi Q2 donated by Frizelle Sunshine Automotive was then reauctioned by Ray White Surfers Paradise CEO Andrew Bell and bought for $40,000-plus to Living Gems.
The company then promptly followed Sunland Group chairman Mr Abedian’s lead and donated it back again to be auctioned a third time.
This time Gold Coast businessman and engineer John Howe won the auction.
In a further act of largesse at the annual social event at The Star Gold Coast, city identity Ron Bakir phoned in a $30,000 donation for the charity foundation set up by Mayoress Ruth Tate.
Last year, the ball raised $179,000 and last night Mrs Tate said while a final tally was still being done, the numbers were looking healthier.
It gives financial support to Gold Coast volunteer groups and the disadvantaged. Mrs Tate said it had contributed $1.1 million to those on the Gold Coast who needed it most in six years.
Mrs Tate said it was unclear at this stage if she would continue the charity ball next year due to it being an election year.
“It’s an election year and you can’t be presumptuous so we will have to wait and see,” she said.