The funds were raised by Variety SA Car 333 team members Larry Vasek, Dave Stoddart, Rodney Earle and Adam Marinakis at their Curry Night of Eastern Delights at Clare Showgrounds on Saturday night.

The funds will be further supplemented by a 50-cents in the dollar matching grant from the AMP Foundation.

Local caterers John Koch and Don Pritchard (KP Catering) served up a great selection of curries to suit all taste buds including Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, Bombay Potatoes, Kadi Paneer, Kashmir Lamb Curry, Pork Vindaloo and Dahl, which was later followed by a dessert of Indian icecream and fruit salad.

The Lions Club of Clare District manned the bar and the door, and assisted with food service.

Local musician Danny Hooper tirelessly played his guitar and sang until the early hours, while master of ceremonies John Reed introduced each team

Auctioneer Geoff Knappstein rallied the crowd to bring in more than $5000 for 30 items ranging from wine and collectibles to sporting memorabilia, with every item on the list being sold.

The raffle was drawn (see results in our Classifieds section today) carrying the major prize of a Miele dishwasher (valued at about $1800) donated by Meile Australia and Dunstan’s Electrical.

But the funds continued to roll in, with Miele SA/NT state manager Jim Stain donating another dishwasher which another local auctioneer, Julie Gabe, sold under the hammer for $1250.

A number of local organisations handed over cheques including Commonwealth Bank business banking manager Peter Ward ($2000) and Earle’s Transport ($1000).