Gold Coast developer Soheil Abedian shells out $50,000 for car, donates it back

A Gold Coast developer set the Mayoress Charity Foundation Ball auction alight over the weekend when he handed over more than $50,000 for a car - then gave it back.

GOLD Coast developer Soheil Abedian set the Mayoress Charity Foundation Ball auction alight on Saturday by shelling out $50,000 plus for a car then donating it back.

The Audi Q2 vehicle donated by Frizelle Sunshine Automotive was then re-auctioned by Ray White Surfers Paradise CEO Andrew Bell for a further $40,000-plus to Living Gems.

The company then promptly followed Sunland Group chairman Mr Abedian’s lead and donated it back again to be auctioned a third time.

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This time Gold Coast businessman and engineer John Howe ended up with it.

In a further act of largesse at the annual social event at Star Gold Coast, city identity Ron Bakir phoned in a $30,000 donation for the charity foundation set up by Mayoress Ruth Tate.

Last year, the ball raised $179,000 and last night Mrs Tate said while a final tally was still being done the numbers were looking even better this time around.

Developer Soheil Abedian chipped in a massive $50,000 for good causes at the Mayoress Charity Foundation Ball auction. Picture: Regina King

Mrs Tate said the fundraiser had contributed $1.1 million to those on the Gold Coast who needed it most in six years: “We have no staff and no overheads so everything we raise goes to the disadvantaged.”

Mrs Tate said it was unclear at this stage if she would continue the charity ball next year with the election scheduled: “It’s an election year and you can’t be presumptuous so we will have to wait and see.”

IN PICTURES: MAYORESS CHARITY FOUNDATION BALL

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Among the many politicians and business titans in attendance on the night were newly married Gold Coast councillor Cameron Caldwell, Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek and Gold Coast Airport bosses Chris Mills and Marion Charlton.

About 630 snapped up tickets to the event with entertainment by covers band Furnace and the Fundamentals.