NEWS RELEASE
“Buzz” Created as Each New Unique Sporting Item Announced for Harcourts Charity Dinner and Auction
For Release: 12 September 2006
With the announcement of each new internationally unique item of sporting memorabilia and experience, a real “buzz” is
being created around the build up to Harcourts Wellington’s black tie Dinner and Auction fundraiser for Capital Vision
Research and the Lions Eye Institute on 12 October 2006.
Following the thrilling Football World Cup with soccer still a hot topic of conversation, the headline item to be
auctioned is a David Beckham signed England FIFA football. Harcourts Wellington Business Development Manager, Mark
Ferguson said, “Arguably the biggest name in world soccer, David Beckham is one of the most exciting international
footballers of all time.” Other top items include:
- a signed print by Dick Frizzell of Martin Crowe - the only New Zealander to score two test centuries at Lords.
- the white saddle used by champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan when he rode Horlicks to victory in the first million dollar
race at Ellerslie on 4 March 1989.
- a netball signed by the complete 2006 Champion New Zealand Silver Ferns Squad - current world champions and
Commonwealth Games Gold Medalists.
Mr Ferguson said Harcourts Wellington had been involved in various fundraisers for Capital Vision Research and the Lions
Eye Institute over recent years, with the Harcourts Charity Auction Dinner on Thursday 12 October at the New Zealand
Academy of Fine Arts on Queens Wharf another fundraiser for what will be a leading eye care centre to provide clinical
and surgical excellence for New Zealanders.
Other donated items for the auction include Wellington Rugby Shorts signed by Norm Hewitt, Wellington Firebirds Shirt
signed by the team, a mystery item signed by Jeff Wilson, and lunch with former New Zealand and Australasian light
welterweight boxing champion Billy Graham. MC for the evening is ‘Nisbo’ – Grant Nisbett, with national sporting icon,
Keith Quinn guest speaker.
Auction items and event details are on www.harcourts.co.nz/charityauction Fans can also bid for the Beckham signed ball
via Trade Me 2-12 October with dinner guests also able to bid online on the night prior to the auction closing through
Internet ready laptop stations on site.
ENDS