MEET -AND-GREET WITH PAUL

The annual Wheely Good Time charity event just added a new auction prize that is sure to generate plenty bids — a chance to meet the legendary former Beatle Paul McCartney - See more at: http://suncoastnews.com/su/list/news-suncoast-pinellas/chance-to-meet-ex-beatle-up-for-auction-20141022/#sthash.4KjnQXlm.dpufThe annual Wheely Good Time charity event just added a new auction prize that is sure to generate plenty bids — a chance to meet the legendary former Beatle Paul McCartney - See more at: http://suncoastnews.com/su/list/news-suncoast-pinellas/chance-to-meet-ex-beatle-up-for-auction-20141022/#sthash.4KjnQXlm.dpuf

It’s a win-win night Saturday at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Even if guests don’t go home with the newly announced chance-of-a-lifetime grand prize, all will have contributed to help kids in need of a little good fortune. 

 Madeline Robinson and event organizers have been drumming up support for the “Wheely Good Time” fundraiser for months now, but the growing function just got a lot bigger late last week. Robinson, the executive director of Tarpon Springs nonprofit organization Wheelchairs 4 Kids, announced that the event’s silent auction will now include a meet-and-greet with Paul McCartney.

 


“Needless to say I was showing my phone to everybody,” Robinson said with a laugh about seeing the confirmation email she received last Friday. “The biggest thrill is that Sir Paul McCartney agreed to do this for us. That’s really humbling.” The mission of Wheelchairs 4 Kids is right there in its name and Saturday’s event has become integral in the organization helping as many kids as possible. “It’s going to be great,” Robinson said. “It’s our fourth annual Wheely Good Time and it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year to help us help more kids. All of our sponsors have covered all the costs, so every penny that’s big is going to help the kids.” The meet-and-greet with McCartney also includes two tickets to a concert in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Oct. 30. That show is the last of his stops in the United States before heading to South America. Travel arrangements and expenses are not included in the package. To open the silent auction to as many people as possible, contestants don’t even need to be present, Robinson said. 

It can be done online by registering at www.501auctions.com/wheelygoodtime. In addition to the grand prize, guests taking part in Saturday’s auction items include a Park City, Utah ski trip, Carnival Cruise trip, Southwest Airline tickets, a trip to Switzerland and more. Tickets to attend the Wheely Good Time fundraiser are $50 per person, which includes a free cocktail, premium hors d’oeuvres, a goody bag and drawings. 

To learn more about the event, tickets and the Paul meet-and-greet, call (727) 946-0963. ehorchy@suncoastnews.com