Courtesy: Jack Needham | News Source: commercialrealestate.com.au

JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group has announced a charity auction to support ongoing firefighting efforts and the recovery of bushfire victims.

Some of the country’s leading hotels have donated nights at their hotels that will at auctioned off to help The Salvation Army, which is currently providing meals to firefighters and helping affected residents with bedding, groceries and cash grants.

JLL agent Tom Gibson, who came up with the idea for the event, said it was an opportunity for the entire real estate industry to come together for a good cause.

“The idea came about when I was in the states over the Christmas break watching the US media report on the incredible extent of damage the bushfires were causing back home and thought to myself ‘how can we help?’ This event is not about JLL, but rather about us representing the industry to help those in need. We encourage all firms to attend on the night,” he said.

A night at any Ovolo hotel in Australia is one of the lots up for auction as part of the charity event. Photo: Ovolo Hotels

“Almost 50 million acres have burnt across the country, which has not only misplaced people from their houses but has also taken away their jobs and subsequent demand for businesses to thrive,” Mr Gibson said. It was important to continue to show support even after the fire front has passed, he added.

JLL managing director John Musca said the hotel industry’s response to the request for donations had been universally positive, with the value of the auction items pegged at more than $20,000.

“We have some generous clients, and every one of them we approached has donated a prize,” Mr Musca said.

Prizes include overnight stays in Sydney, Port Douglas, Coles Bay, Hayman Island, as well as Fiji.

The event will be held at the Buena Vista Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Mosman, on February 4, commencing 6pm.

The prizes include:

Lot 1: One night at any Ovolo Hotel in Australia

Lot 2: One night at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel with breakfast

Lot 3: One night at Larmont Sydney by Lancemore

Lot 4: One night at Hilton Sydney including club lounge access and dinner for two at Glass

Lot 5: Two night stay at the Sheraton Grand Resort Surfers Paradise with breakfast

Lot 6: One night at QT Hotel Sydney

Lot 7: Three-night stay at either The Bailey or The Riley by Crystalbrook Collection Cairns

Lot 8: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Jonah’s Whale Beach

Lot 9: Three-night stay the Sheraton Grand Resort Port Douglas in a Lagoon View room

Lot 10: Three-night stay at the Radisson Blu Resort on Denarau Island, Fiji

Lot 11: Three-night stay in an Oceanfront Bure at Tropica Resort, Fiji

Lot 12: Two-night stay at Spicers Hunter Valley, dinner for two & a private wine tour

Lot 13: One-night at the all-inclusive Saffire Freycinet & one night at MACq01 Hobart

Lot 14: Three-night stay at the all-inclusive Bedarra Island Resort

Lot 15: Two-night stay in a Beachfront Villa at the new InterContinental Hayman Island Resort

Lot 16: Australian 7s Rugby Jersey signed by the men’s & women’s teams