Council may delay Annual Plan Get tickets to gala event for MS

Fine dining, a night of entertainment, and support for a good cause. Bay of Plenty’s Multiple Sclerosis Society is holding a gala in order to raise funds to continue their work.

BOPMS events coordinator Joni Bentham says the charity gala evening at Baypark arena on June 17, will be an evening of great fun.

“We’ve got some amazing prizes, we just need people to be aware of it and put up their hand and say: ‘Yup we’ll pay $100 and come.”

Masquerade-themed e masquerade-themed event will raise funds to support individuals with multiple sclerosis. Joni says the society provides support in the form of a eld worker. “She will periodically go and visit everyone, and just nd out what they need. Do they need help with lling out forms for disability services? Or do they need other support to help them live their daily lives?” e society also hosts exercise classes. “We also do a little social group and we meet once a month and just go for a drink.”

Joni has MS. She herself found support and community in BOPMS, and recognises the impact of the society. “It’s really important because I remember when I was diagnosed I just felt so lonely, I just wanted to talk to people that were in my shoes.”

Joni says this event is a community e ort. “Maybe that re ects that it is such a good cause, you know most people you talk to will know someone with MS, or has been in contact with someone with MS and can kind of slightly understand it, or even if they don’t, are curious about it.”

Amazing prizes

Joni says the June 17 gala is not to be missed! ere’s guest speakers, including Sir Gordon Tietjens, scrumptious food and a live auction. “ e prizes up for grabs are incredible – glamping, dinner vouchers, Bed Bath & Beyond merchandise, a hot pools experience and more. We’ve got some amazing prizes – we just need people to be aware of it and put up their hand and come.” e BOP MS Masquerade Gala is at Baypark on June 17. Tickets are $100 on: eventbooking.com Or call: 027 362 7952 or email: admin@bopms.co.nz

Tauranga athletes showcase artistic swimming!

is Saturday, June 10, Tauranga Synchro club athletes will take to the pool at Baywave to showcase their artistic swimming routines they’ve prepared for the upcoming North Islands artistic swimming championships.

e display will feature athlete Evander Claydon, who is re ning a solo routine to Abba’s ‘Chiquitita’, a piece they will take to the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics LGBTQ+ aquatics championships in London later this month. e routine is an upbeat expression of living life to the full.

Evander, who has been at swimming for nine years, also gives back to the community by coaching the Adaptive Synchro athlete at the club.

eir swimmer Maddy Uden will perform a solo as the youngest member in Saturday’s display. Tauranga Synchro prides itself on being one of the only synchro clubs in the country to o er one-on-one training to neurodivergent athletes within an Adaptive synchro programme.

e display will comprise solo, duet, and group routines from athletes of all ages, and promises to be a spectacle of creativity, acrobatics, and athleticism. e NZ Aquaferns, the NZ Artistic Swimming team, are also due to perform routines.

e display is 10.30am-midday June 10 at Baywave. Spectators welcome – Baywave’s spectator fee may apply.