The auctions, hosted by the Rotary Club of Newlands and Table Bay in 2013 and 2014 in the Western Cape and the Rotary Clubs of Knights Pendragon and Sandton in Gauteng earlier this year, raised R926,000 in total. These funds were used to complete the NSRI station at Yzerfontein which includes boat storage for two vessels, a garage for a tractor, an operations room, crew facilities, a training room as well as a trauma counselling room.
"Rotary's motto is 'service above self' and we believe our values are similar to those of the NSRI. They have very high standards and are a massive support to the marine community and in times of disaster," Rotarian Richard Burnett said.
"We treasure our relationship with the NSRI and are pleased that over the past 20 years we've been able to contribute six rescue craft, a couple of 4 x 4 vehicles, several operational upgrades and now this magnificent base from the funds raised from the wine auction. We are very grateful to all the wineries and their winemakers for all their generous annual contributions to make the wine auction the huge success it has become today," Burnett said.
"The NSRI is proud and honoured to be associated with Rotary's Wine Auctions and look forward to continuing this relationship for many more years," Ian Weinberg of the NSRI added.
This year's wine auction has been confirmed to take place on 8 October 2015 at the Table Bay Hotel. Money raised during the auction will go towards a new 6.5 metre NSRI rescue boat that will be based at Melkbosstrand.
