A phenomenal $55,000 Raised in the Cure Kids Online Auction

March 12 2005:
Cure Kids ambassador Jonah Lomu made the first bid in the Grays on-line auction which was held from March 9-11 and raised a phenomenal $55,000. This auction is one of the major fundraisers held in conjunction with the 2005 Cure Kids Great Adventure Race.

The Cure Kids Adventure Race is being held on April 8 in the Waitakere Ranges for the second successive year. Thirty five teams representing 20 companies will compete in the Southern Traverse style one day multi-sport race in a novel fundraiser for Cure Kids.

Teams of four will compete in several disciplines including trek/running, mountain biking, coasteering and route finding. The course remains secret until just before the race start.

Last year a cheque was presented to Cure Kids for $286,000 and with an extra 15 teams competing this year a significant amount will be raised.

The on-line auction is run in tandem with the race and Jonah launced it on March 9. The auction attracted widespread national interest last year raising $41,000 for Cure Kids.

Jonah has been an active supporter of Cure Kids for the last two years. Last year he donated the proceeds from the launch of his book ‘My Story’, which raised over $40,000, to the charity. This year he has donated a limited edition bronze cast of one of his rugby boots worn in the 2001 All Black games against Argentina, Ireland and Scotland, to the auction.

“Cure Kids works hard to make a difference to the health and quality of life of young children,” he says. “I personally know what it is like to suffer an illness which is one of the reasons I support Cure Kids in its goal to raise money for medical research.

Several feature items attracted strong bidding at auction.

Two Cadbury corporate box tickets for the Lions versus All Blacks game in Auckland in June attracted some attention. The lease of a BMW X5 for a weekend appealed to many and the luxury accommodation at a Mercure Grand Hotel from Accor were sought after.

A Philips plasma television screen and Microsoft computer packages along with unusual art and literary items were also on the list.

“We were delighted with the support from sponsors for this auction,” says Cure Kids Business Development Manager Mandy Mee. “The high standard of auction items combined with the profile which Jonah lended to the auction ensured a national focus on the auction, raising substantial funds for the charity.”

For Further Information: Mandy Mee Cure Kids 09 358 5177