End of Slave Auction?

Community fundraising stalwart Paul Evans has called it a day. Evans, 60, a key organiser of the annual fundraising Slave Auction and Midsumma Mooning events held at the Laird Hotel said he is at the end of his tether trying to garner community support.

-œI think people are over supporting HIV [charity] events. I think [people believe] it’s not a big issue any more, he said.

Evans, who has been running the events for 20 years, said he was upset about his decision but has struggled to get sponsors needed for prizes.

-œI’m very disappointed. I put 20 years into fundraising and I feel like I’m letting down the community. The younger generation have to start trying to do things as well. We’ve all got to grow up and I’m getting a bit too old now, he said.

Over the years the Slave Auction and Mooning events, chiefly driven by Evans and Tex McKenzie, have raised around $300,000 for HIV charities. The Laird Hotel may continue to run the two events.

Evans, who started the fundraiser after the death of many friends in the ’80s to HIV/AIDS, said he will continue his fundraising efforts on a smaller scale.

-œI think people don’t want to give that support any more. People are over HIV and they shouldn’t be-¦ we’ve still got the virus and it’s not going to go away.

Evans was awarded a VAC/GMHC Life Membership earlier this year.