Lady Gaga, renowned for her sense of style, has autographed and donated the barely-worn Gucci shoes to show her support for the Rise Up Christchurch –Te Kotahitanga Telethon.
And Christchurch-based business Canterbury Biltong has called in some major favours to put together the ultimate ‘once in a lifetime’ experience for football fans – two priceless Manchester United packages.
Each package includes a 2011 jersey signed by the team, two A-Class match day tickets to a Manchester United game, and a personal meeting with legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford (UK flights and accommodation not included).
The items are the first to be listed at the official auction site set up to help raise funds in support of the May 22 telethon on Maori TV.
sella.co.nz spokesperson Trent Helmbright is urging corporates and celebrities and citizens to support the auction by donating or bidding.
“This is one place where we can really get things humming before the telethon gets underway,” Mr Helmbright says. “If you don’t have a dollar to donate to Rise Up, then dust off that old exercise bike you haven’t used in years and list it on sella. Every single cent goes to Rise Up.”
Mr Helmbright says the sign-on process is very straightforward.
“Simply go to www.sella.co.nz/riseup and register to bid or donate an item, tick a box and the auction is added to the telethon page. We make sure the sale proceeds go direct to the telethon account. You can list absolutely anything that’s legal – and worth buying.”
Telethon spokesperson Brooke Howard-Smith says Lady Gaga’s shoes are a show-stopper.
“These shoes are serious celebrity property – size 39 faux snakeskin sensations,” he says.
“Lady Gaga was delighted to be able to do something for the people of Christchurch – so let’s make sure they raise heaps of money. Fashionistas and Gaga fans, we want you to get bidding!”
The two Manchester United auctions are every football fan’s dream win in a package that’s simply unique, Mr Howard-Smith says.
“This truly is a package of a lifetime – not only do you get a chance to see the likes of superstar footballer Wayne Rooney up close, you also get to shake the hand of football legend Sir Alex Ferguson. Best of all, there are two of these incredible prize packages up for grabs, so go to www.sella.co.nz/riseup and start bidding now,” Mr Howard-Smith says.
The next celebrity auction item comes from Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey, who is donating her Two and a Half Men ‘crew’ jacket for the auction. Melanie’s auction will go live tomorrow (May 11), with many more to follow over the coming days.
The Rise Up Christchurch –Te Kotahitanga auction gets underway today (May 10) at www.sella.co.nz/riseup.