Noel Leeming Xbox auctions raise more than $4,500 for charity
Unique Trade Me auctions net Christmas funds for Ronald McDonald House
Auckland, 14 December 2006 - New Zealand's three Ronald McDonald Houses received an early Christmas present today - the
proceeds from 11 unique Trade Me auctions of rare Xbox 'arcade machines'.
The 11 Xbox IDUs (interactive display units) were snapped up by bidders throughout the country after a week-long
campaign to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald Houses.
The Houses, in Auckland, Wellington and South Island, provide accommodation and support for sick children and their
families.
The campaign kicked off with a Viva Pià at a party at the Auckland House last week. Residents and VIP guests celebrated
the launch of the Xbox 360 game, Viva Piñata, and bid on an Xbox 360 console auctioned off by MCs Jay-Jay Feeney and
Dominic Harvey from The Edge radio station.
The proceeds from the party and the Trade me auctions raised a total of $4,516.
Noel Leeming Group chief executive officer Nick Lowe says, "We're pleased to see our Xbox IDUs going to good homes all
over New Zealand, and thrilled we could come to the party for Ronald McDonald House.
"We'd encourage anyone who missed out on the auctions to make a donation to their local Ronald McDonald House and
support this very worthy cause."
About Ronald McDonald House
There are three Ronald McDonald Houses in New Zealand and 261 worldwide. In NZ each house is run independently by a 100%
community-owned charitable trust. It is a home away from home for families who have seriously ill children in hospital
and who have to be away from home for their child to receive specialist medical treatment. The Auckland House provides
accommodation for more than 2,500 families from all over NZ each year in its 58 rooms on two sites - many families
returning more than once. Additionally its Family Room in Starship can host up to 2,500 visits from families spending
long hours on the wards. The Wellington House has 16 rooms and South Island has 18 rooms.
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