All Black captain comes in 'handy' for charity auction

A signed All Whites football shirt, Trans-Tasman flights, a luxury weekend in Queenstown, and a children’s playhouse ‘signed’ by All Black captain Richie McCaw are some of the sensational items up for grabs at a charity auction and cocktail party to raise funds for Cure Kids.

The gala event has been sponsored by Bayleys Canterbury to support the fundraising efforts of Christchurch Samaritans David Hiatt and Hamish Jenkins who are taking part in the Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge. The challenge will see the pair endeavour to hitch-hike their way from Queenstown to Auckland over the space of three days with only $10 in their pockets.

Business owner David and Air New Zealand pilot Hamish have to raise $7,125 before the Queenstown to Auckland trek begins in October. To help them reach that target, Bayleys is donating $200 for every property referred onto the company by David and Hamish. In addition, Bayleys is contributing another $800 for every property referred by the pair which then goes on to be a successful sale.

Bayleys Canterbury chief executive officer Scott McCrea said the real estate agency was proud to be associated with Hamish and David’s focused activities, and has been busy generating support for the upcoming auction.

The fundraising auction takes place on Saturday September 4 at Coca Gallery in Christchurch. Admission is $50 – which includes canapés and drinks – with tickets available by emailing David Hiatt at david@lookoutpoint.co.nz or from Bayleys Canterbury marketing manager Belinda Shannon on 375 4700.

“Bayleys is renown for its extensive networks within local communities, and for running a highly successful auction team, so we were perfect partners to support David and Hamish’s fundraising venture,” Mr McCrea said.

“The guys are so enthusiastic about the Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge that we wanted to help keep their ‘buzz’ going and growing. The aim is to raise at least $15,000 from the gala auction night, then top that up with additional funds coming through property listings and their personal sponsorships.”

While many of the exciting items going up for auction can be bought ‘over the counter’, Mr McCrea said one of the most unique items expected to attract frenetic bidding from a parochial Cantabrian crowd is a child’s playhouse – personally ‘signed and hand-printed’ by All Black captain Richie McCaw.

“Richie was absolutely brilliant in his support of the auction and was quick to jump on-board to help Hamish and David’s fundraising. The playhouse will definitely be the smallest home Bayleys Canterbury has ever put under the auctioneer’s hammer but it is certainly one of the most unique – and all proceeds are going towards a most deserving cause,” Mr McCrea said.

The Cure Kids charity was established some 30 years ago to support research into a range of life-threatening childhood diseases and conditions affecting New Zealand children and their families. This research into illnesses such as leukemia, genetic heart defects, cot death, asthma, and bone malformations has helped save thousands of young lives and has improved the quality of life for thousands of children.

Since 2005, the Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge concept has raised more than $2million for Cure Kids. Hamish and David aim to raise a total of $50,000 from their various sponsored ventures.