Keen Aussie Collector Snaps Up Collector Cards

Immediate release: 6 December 2006

Keen Aussie Collector Snaps Up NZ Weet-Bix Celebrity Collector Cards

-Sale raises almost $1600 for Kiwi charities & attracts 2,500 viewers -

Australian David Crane, a keen collector of trans-Tasman Sanitarium ephemera, has purchased the entire series of one of a kind WEET-BIX collector cards designed by New Zealand icons.

Mr Crane, a partner at Sydney-based law firm Minter Ellison, outbid strong opposition and secured the five one-off cards for a total of NZ$798. Sanitarium will match the funds raised by the auction, taking the total raised for New Zealand charities to $1596.

Tanne Andrews, WEET-BIX senior brand manager says: "The collector card series received a fantastic response from Kiwis across the country and we are very pleased that we are able to mark WEET-BIX's 70th anniversary by supporting key charities.

"Mr Crane is a true collector and these unique cards have found an ideal home amongst his extensive collection, which includes very old and rare cards."

The one of a kind collector cards were designed by Trelise Cooper, Hamish Carter, Weta Workshop, Emirates Team New Zealand and Kiwi kid Madeleine Stratford and all funds raised from the sale of the cards will be donated to key New Zealand children's charities.

The cards were auctioned on Trade Me (www.trademe.co.nz) over a 10 day period and, by the time bidding closed on Thursday 30 November 2006, had attracted more than 2,500 viewers.

Trelise Cooper's card was particularly popular with more than 850 viewers and 50 bidders/watchers.

All proceeds from the sale of the collector cards will be split evenly amongst charities nominated by the designers. These charities are: the Child Cancer Foundation (Trelise Cooper and Emirates Team New Zealand); the Wellington Neonatal Trust (Weta Workshop); the Starship Foundation (Hamish Carter) and the Great Potentials Foundation's Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (Kiwi kid Madeleine Stratford).

Ends

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