The Return of the King Charity Screening

Press Release
3/12/03
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Charity Screening: Build up to first public showing in NZ

Following a spectacular World Premiere in Wellington, The Lord of the Rings fans have the chance to be at the first public screening of the final instalment of the motion picture trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, at the Auckland Charity Screening, SKYCITY Theatre, SKYCITY Auckland, Hobson St, at 6.30pm, December 17.

Tickets to the Charity Screening are $100 each, with part proceeds to the Starship Foundation to help complete the Starship Heart Unit – expected to treat more than 1000 heart patients from throughout New Zealand each year. Tickets can be purchased online at www.starship.org.nz/tickets or by contacting 09 3074957; email events@starship.nzl.com or fax 09 3074937.

Filmmaker Peter Jackson personally chose to support the Starship Foundation, as he did last year for his second film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: "I wanted to show my support of the Starship Foundation because of the enormous support the charity provides to children and families facing very real medical and social needs. Children are too often over-looked and undervalued in our society, so we need organisations like the Starship Foundation to be a champion for them.

“Everyday the Starship provides the children of New Zealand with high quality health care, but it remains dependent on fundraising to be fully effective. I have become familiar with some of the day to day difficulties faced by patients at Starship and salute those dedicated to their care. I am very happy that our film can make a contribution, however small, to support the wonderful work these people do,” he says.

Ticket buyers supporting the Charity Screening will go into a draw to win a beautiful replica of Strider’s sword. The sword has been crafted by Weta Workshop’s swordsmith, Peter Lyon, who created the original as used in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy. The signatures of Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor & Peter Lyon will be engraved into the blade of the sword.

Starship Foundation Chief Executive, Andrew Young, says the charity is extremely proud to be associated Jackson and his team: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is another celebration of New Zealand talent. We believe this is a great fit with our cause as we are constantly striving to ensure New Zealand children enjoy happy, healthy lives in environments which are stimulating and enriching. We thank Peter Jackson, Roadshow Film Distributors and New Line Cinema for this wonderful opportunity.”

Details:
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Auckland Charity Screening, SKYCITY Theatre, SKYCITY Auckland, Hobson St.
Limited Charity Tickets $100 each, includes pre-event refreshments
Purchase: online at www.starship.org.nz/tickets; email events@starship.nzl.com; ph 09 3074957 or fax 09 3074937.

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