More than $40,000 worth of goods donated

If community spirit counts for anything, Bendigo’s 14 St Luke’s Ride for Youth cyclists will float from Bendigo to Bathurst in October.

A Charity Auction planned for Saturday night has exceeded all expectations, with more than 200 people to bid for more than $44,000 worth of goods donated by local Bendigo businesses and traders.

And syndicates are already being formed in preparation for the main auction item for the night – two nights in a luxury multi-million dollar house on Hamilton Island and one night on an 85 foot motor launch with Skipper, crew and meals.

Local businessman and Ride for Youth participant Andy Hoare has donated the main prize which is valued at $15,000.

Ride for Youth organisers Matt Leonard and Adam Poyser said the response from the community has been overwhelming.

“There have been quite a few charity events held in Bendigo already this year and to receive this response for our event is absolutely fantastic for us, and even better for our charity recipient St Luke’s,” Matt said.

The Charity Auction event is booked out and Poyser Motor’s showroom in Epsom undergoing a transformation on Saturday afternoon – cars out and auction goods and tables in – to accommodate the 220-plus crowd.

Neither Matt nor Adam would be drawn on estimates of how much the charity auction would raise for St Luke’s.

“Let’s just say that we have had so many items donated, that many of the items which would normally be sold in the Main Auction have been relegated to the Silent Auction,” Matt said.

“There are definitely some bargains to be had – and some terrific fundraising dollars to go towards St Luke’s youth programs,” Matt said.