School tops Fun Run auction, K530,000 raised

 THE annual Fun Run auction in Port Moresby raised a total of K329,000 with the Institute of Business Studies (IBS) being the highest bidder with K39,000.
The Trukai-sponsored event held at the Royal Papua Yacht Club last Thursday saw the top five bidders receiving prizes courtesy of Air Niugini and the North Queensland Cowboys.
IBS received a return ticket from Port Moresby to Singapore followed by Kundu 2 with K29,0000, who received a return ticket to Hong Kong, Consort Shipping with K19,000.00, got a return ticket to Sydney, Steamships with K17,000 got a return ticket to Brisbane and Oil Search Limited with K16,000 got a Cairns return trip.
According to IBS associate director Vani Nades, IBS had been one of the top three bidders and this was their 11th year to assist  the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee with its effort to send athletes to the World Youth Championships in Glasgow, Scotland and provide sport scholarships for athletes.
“IBS is proud to be a supporter of sport in Papua New Guinea for the last 11 years. We are very happy to be the highest bidder and we will continue our support,” Nades said.
The event started off with a message from North Queensland Cowboys Captain Jonathan Thurston streamed on the big screen asking everyone present to “dig deep”.
Former rugby league stalwart and part time caller Jim Robins played the part of auctioneer.
A total of 102 schools in Port Moresby with the addition of Makerupu primary school in Rigo, Central province received 500 shirts thanks to Kina Securities.
The school said they would be conducting their own Fun Run outside of Port Moresby. Figures corrected by Andrew Molen from the PNGOC indicate the Lae auction raised K203,000 from 2030 shirts and not K211,000 while Port Moresby raised K327,000 from 3270 shirts and two signed NRL North Queensland Cowboys framed jerseys for K1,000 each and unframed jersey for K450.