A sold-out charity performance of the hit gay play Boys in the Band at the Silo Theatre in Auckland has raised around $2,000 for the Cartier Bereavement Trust, says trust spokesperson Karen Ritchie. "It was a very good, successful night out, and the show was a lot of fun," Ritchie told GayNZ.com. The money will go towards assisting with funeral costs for bereaved partners and family of people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. The trust works hand-in-hand with funeral directors to ensure the money is only used for this purpose. Initially run under the umbrella of the AIDS Foundation, Cartier was set up as an independent trust last year, and is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. It does all its own fundraising through events like Wigs On The Waterfront, charity performances, and bingo nights. It does not apply for any government grants or funding, and Ritchie says the community is very supportive. "We're here to help people move onto the next stage of life with a bit of dignity," she says.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 29th June 2005 - 12:00pm