Blenheim man's Graham Brooks' tea caddy collection looks to be the biggest in the world, according to the Guinness World Records.
The estimated 3,000-strong collection will be officially opened tomorrow night, 5-7pm at the historic Blenheim Club, by Wellington antiques expert Peter Wedde of the television programme Auction House. For the rest of the week it will be on display to raise funds for Alzheimers Marlborough's crucial support services during Awareness and Appeal Week, 12 to 18 July.
Graham was told by Guinness World Records yesterday that if his collection amounted to more than 1,001, it would beat the world record on verification. Supports of Alzheimers Marlborough spent the weekend counting the caddies. On Sunday afternoon they marked the 1001th caddie, with boxes more to open.
"I think that's pretty good really isn't it? The collection looked massive when I was there, and that was when only 500 caddies had been unpacked. As long as Alzheimers Marlborough get some money out of it and people get to see it, that's the most important thing. The world record bit was to help generate publicity for the cause," says Graham.
He has been collecting tea caddies from near and afar for 35 years after his mother-in-law gave him one as a gift. This is the first time in 25 years the collection has come out of storage.
Alzheimers Marlborough's spokesperson Helen Knapp says she is keeping tight lipped about how many caddies in total are in the collection, as the organisation is offering a prize for the closest guess, announced at the end of next week.
"It's fantastic; you wouldn't believe it when you walk in the room. It's amazing. Overwhelming," says Helen.
To make the record official two public notaries must make witness statements and video and photographic evidence must be submitted.
Alzheimers Marlborough hopes to raise $10,000 through the event. This funding will make up the difference the organisation needs after the funding it receives from the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
The estimated 3,000-strong collection will be officially opened tomorrow night, 5-7pm at the historic Blenheim Club, by Wellington antiques expert Peter Wedde of the television programme Auction House. For the rest of the week it will be on display to raise funds for Alzheimers Marlborough's crucial support services during Awareness and Appeal Week, 12 to 18 July.
Graham was told by Guinness World Records yesterday that if his collection amounted to more than 1,001, it would beat the world record on verification. Supports of Alzheimers Marlborough spent the weekend counting the caddies. On Sunday afternoon they marked the 1001th caddie, with boxes more to open.
"I think that's pretty good really isn't it? The collection looked massive when I was there, and that was when only 500 caddies had been unpacked. As long as Alzheimers Marlborough get some money out of it and people get to see it, that's the most important thing. The world record bit was to help generate publicity for the cause," says Graham.
He has been collecting tea caddies from near and afar for 35 years after his mother-in-law gave him one as a gift. This is the first time in 25 years the collection has come out of storage.
Alzheimers Marlborough's spokesperson Helen Knapp says she is keeping tight lipped about how many caddies in total are in the collection, as the organisation is offering a prize for the closest guess, announced at the end of next week.
"It's fantastic; you wouldn't believe it when you walk in the room. It's amazing. Overwhelming," says Helen.
To make the record official two public notaries must make witness statements and video and photographic evidence must be submitted.
Alzheimers Marlborough hopes to raise $10,000 through the event. This funding will make up the difference the organisation needs after the funding it receives from the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
