After flooding put a damper on Waipuna Hospice, things are looking set to brighten up with a night of local and international entertainment.
‘A Touch of Class' is a fundraising night on April 3, with internationally acclaimed tenor Will Martin headlining the show. Tauranga singer and songwriter Jessica Ross and 10-year-old New Zealand Country Award winner Georgia Barker-Trebilco will also be performing.

Will Martin will play the piano and sing the songs of Billy Joel, Elton John and his own classical material on April 3.

Fundraising coordinator Trish Rae says the Hospice is very lucky to have Will perform for them, as it was only by chance the two met.
'I saw him performing at a Twilight Concert last year and again at a private function at Matahui Lodge function. I'm never one to let a chance go by, so I had the opportunity to speak with him. I told him we had a nice venue, made sure he felt comfortable playing there, and it just moved on from there.”
Trish says they will be making a 'real night of it”, with doormen dressed in suits who will greet the guests as they arrive. RHB Accountants has been instrumental in making this night a success, covering the costs to enable all ticket sales to go straight to the Hospice.
'Between government funding and operational costs, we need $1.5 million a year, and we are just raising little bits at a time. My aim is to make this as affordable as possible because it is just a great night's entertainment in support for us.”
Money raised will go towards replacing and repairing equipment damaged in the flood last month, as well as enabling the hospice to continue its high level of support both at the Hospice and at patient's homes.
Musician and singer Will Martin says this will be his first time performing in Tauranga and is really looking forward to playing in his home country after four years away.
'It has been great working with the most brilliant people and producers overseas, but living in New Zealand is amazing, the summer here is an institution. Sitting outside, listening to good music and here we have the opportunity to do it.”
Will says the concert will showcase a variety of music, from his classical work through to modern covers of Billy Joel, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. There is also a surprise collaboration between the three artists performing, but Will says 'that's all I am telling you”.