BCF Champagne High Tea at Abel Estate, Kumeu, September 13, 1.30pm

16/06/2026

You see Ruth, Liane, Stephanie, Máire, Sarah and I pushing this event and when you attend our Champagne High Tea, you see a beautiful venue, the elegant tables, the delicious food, the bubbles, the auction items, and a room full of wonderful people.

What you don't always see is the incredible community behind it.

One of the things we're most grateful for is the number of businesses and individuals who generously donate their products, services, and time to help make this event possible. Their support means we can keep our costs down and maximise what we raise for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

A special thank you to some of the amazing organisations already supporting us this year:

- Estate for hosting us in their stunning venue
- The Vintage Table for helping create beautiful table settings
- Ronan-Pearce

And to the many businesses and individuals who have donated auction items, services, and support behind the scenes:
- Echelon Advisors
- P.Inked
- Craig Shearer Photography
- Skywings
- Ron and Jenny Carpenter
- Veeam
- Studio Moya

Fundraising events like ours don't happen because of one person. They happen because a community comes together around a cause they believe in.

We're incredibly grateful to be part of such a generous group.

08/06/2026

A personal experience with the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ this week that highlights why I really want our High Tea to be a success in raising funds as well as enjoying time with friends

A little reminder of why Breast Cancer Foundation NZ matters...

Tomorrow I'm having my port-a-cath removed. It's one of those milestones that feels significant but also comes with a whole new set of questions.

At the same time, my voice hasn't been behaving itself, and I've found myself stressing about both situations. So, I did what I've done before, I picked up the phone and called Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

Within minutes, I was talking to someone who understood. Someone who listened, answered my questions, and helped me think through what I needed to do next.
1. relax you've had a port-a-cath (or as I call him Bruno 2.0) removed before
2. "Talk" to my GP about my voice (ok that one is a bit funny!)

Having the privilege of having someone to call who will talk to me as much as I need at no cost to me - being able to discuss the worries that pop up unexpectedly. The milestones. The setbacks. And all those moments in between.

Sometimes the greatest gift isn't having all the answers, it's having someone knowledgeable and compassionate to talk things through with.

It's one of the many reasons I'm so passionate about supporting Breast Cancer Foundation NZ through our Champagne High Tea at Abel Estate this September.

Because everyone facing breast cancer deserves to know they're not navigating it alone.

https://abelestate.co.nz/pink-ribbon-fundraiser-high-tea/

04/06/2026

Why fundraising events like our Champagne High Tea matter more than ever.

There has been recent discussion in New Zealand about changes to charity funding and tax settings, and what that could mean for organisations that rely on donations to deliver vital support services.

For charities like Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, even small shifts in funding can have a real impact on the services they provide — from emotional support and information to advocacy, education, and access to care.

https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/news-articles/article/charity-tax-change-risks-undermining-vital-breast-cancer-support/1048

The reality is demand for support doesn’t reduce just because funding becomes more uncertain.

That’s why community fundraising events remain so important.

Our Champagne High Tea at Abel Estate on Sunday 13th September 🥂 is one small but meaningful way we can help bridge that gap.

Every ticket, every auction item, every table helps ensure that support is still there when someone needs it most regardless of policy changes or funding pressures.

It’s a beautiful afternoon of high tea, bubbles, and connection… but it’s also part of something much bigger

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31/05/2026

TICKETS ARE NOW OPEN!

We're delighted to announce that tickets for our 2026 Champagne High Tea in support of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ are now available.
Our theme this year is bring a friend - if you bring someone new you go into the draw for our mystery prize.

- Sunday 13th September 2026
- Abel Estate, Kumeu
- Theme: Bring a Friend
- $139- per person

Join us for an afternoon of bubbles, beautiful food, fabulous auction items, and wonderful company, all while supporting an incredible cause.

We can't wait to welcome you!

https://abelestate.co.nz/pink-ribbon-fundraiser-high-tea/

25/05/2026

Reading this morning of Jools Topp’s passing from breast cancer is absolutely heartbreaking, she was only 68.

A stark reminder why supporting Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to get to zero deaths is so important. Their work is entirely funded through the generosity of donations and fundraisers.

That’s why I am so pleased to co-host this year's Champagne High Tea at Abel Estate. Every ticket purchased, every auction item donated and every person who comes along helps to stop other familys go through the grief that Jools' family is dealing with.

17/05/2026

Don't get me wrong, active treatment (chemo/radiation) is really hard, but there is constant handholding from professionals. Their support, knowledge and understanding are really helpful. But when you move past active treatment, and onto maintenance (Endocrine therapy/hormone therapy) or what is referred to as the "new normal", a lot of that support is just gone! You are on your own, you go from something like weekly visits to 6-monthly. And people think you are now fine, well, you are a survivor, a warrior back to how you were before.

The truth is, you are suffering with side effects both mental and physical; living with the fear of recurrence; an expectation that you can take on anything, and return to work (if you were able to stop in the first place) and lymphoedema. And don't get me started on scanxiety.

All that to say, it may surprise you that chemo isn't always the hardest part. It doesn't surprise Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, I was invited to be part of a study into life after treatment, so they could make sure they continue to support women as they move forward after treatment.

https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/support/moving-forward-after-treatment

That’s one of the reasons events like our Champagne High Tea matter so much. The funds raised help support the incredible work of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, including support services, education, advocacy, and care for those navigating breast cancer.

Tickets for our Champagne High Tea at Abel Estate officially go on sale in June!

Sunday 13th September 2026
Abel Estate, Kumeu

This year’s theme is Bring a Friend — because support, connection, and community really do matter.

We’re also still looking for fabulous auction items, so if you or your business would like to contribute, we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s make this our biggest year yet!

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14/05/2026

***Champagne High Tea 2026 Reminder***

It's only 4 and a bit months away!

So, the countdown is really on, and I'm looking for your support to make this year the best ever (and maybe a sell-out !)
We’re looking for fabulous auction items to help us raise as much as possible. If you or your business would like to contribute a product, experience, voucher, service, or special item, I would absolutely love to hear from you.

Please feel free to message me if you’d like to donate an auction item or learn more.

Tickets will be $139- and include a lovely glass of Champagne on arrival.

Remember, it's "Bring a friend" themed this year.

So talk to your friends about the wonderful work Breast Cancer Foundation NZ do and remind them to practice some TLC - Touch - Look - get Checked - the sooner you find it, the better the possible outcomes.

05/05/2026

Tickets go on sale next month. $139- per person.

It's on Sunday, 13th September at Abel Estate, Kumeu.

It's our third year and we have raised over $25k to date. This year’s theme is bring a friend, so I’d love you to come along as my friend and if you bring someone new, you’ll go into the draw to win a special prize.

Tickets go on sale in June, but sharing now in case you’d like to come along this year and bring another friend of yours!

03/02/2026

Thanks to the support of so many, we raised over $19,000- last year. And we intend doing everything we can to beat that this year. As soon as we set the date we'll let you know!

09/10/2025

One last share for this year! We did it - our final total for this year! $18,613- Well exceeding the goal of $12,500-
Hope to see you next year!