Media Release
For immediate release: Friday 21 November 2003
Online auction for children’s charity
Meridian Energy is hosting an online auction for the children’s charity Kiwi Can. The auction is on the popular trading
site Trade Me (www.trademe.co.nz) from 9am Monday 24 November finishing on Monday 1 December.
“We’ve been really lucky with the items we’ve been able to collect for this auction,” said Meridian spokesman Alan Seay.
“Large Lord of the Rings figurines signed by Richard Taylor and the sculptor are bound to receive international
interest, which is one of the bonuses of having the auction online.”
“Our other sponsored partners have also pitched in and provided some amazingly unique auction items such as a kicking
coaching session with Andrew Mehrtens, a ski lesson with Alana Gould, tickets to Royal NZ ballet performance, running
coaching with World Champion Melissa Moon, and much more.”
“It’s a great website for Christmas shopping!”
Also up for grabs is a walk on part on Shortland Street, an autographed shirt from Team New Zealand, autographed photo
of the 2003 All Blacks, and collector packs of Lord of the Rings TelstraClear phone cards.
Kiwi Can is the first and only full time life skills and values-based programme working in primary and intermediate
schools. The aim of the programme is to develop children with higher self-esteem in themselves, and encourage them to
show respect for their peers, parents, community and our environment.
As well as financial assistance, Meridian Energy supports the charity by taking part in sports events, fun-days, school
projects and mentoring. “Kiwi Can is very grateful for the support of Meridian Energy,” said Kiwi Can Chief Executive
Viv Auty.
“Our programme definitely wouldn’t be as successful as it has been without the company’s involvement. Meridian staff
commitment to our activities is outstanding.”
With 400,000 monthly visitors, Trade Me is one of New Zealand’s most successful web sites and is ranked by Red Sheriff
as the number one New Zealand website for general shopping and classified advertising.
Trade Me has a good track record of holding charity auctions, the most recent being the auction of a David Beckham
signed Manchester United football shirt on behalf of Unicef.
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