Media Release
Date 21.1.2010

Instant fame on offer at charity auction…. alongside
highly-desirable holiday packages

Ever fancied seeing yourself beaming on the front page of the local newspaper, or broadcasting across the region’s airwaves as morning breakfast show host?

Well, now that dream can become a reality – with one lucky person being shot to fame as part of a charity fundraising auction taking place at the Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open teeing off in Queenstown on January 28.

The charity auction is being held to raise funds for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s Guide Dog Services and is being organised by leading real estate agency Bayleys, which is the principal sponsor of the RNZFB’s Guide Dog Services.

One of the marquee items up for bidding is the opportunity to appear on the front page of the Southland Times and spend time with the More FM Queenstown breakfast crew - achieving the instant fame normally reserved for New Zealand Idol or Dancing With the Stars winners.

Other items which will go under the hammer at the charity auction include:
• A three night holiday in Fiji – including airfares, transport, and accommodation at the luxurious Terraces Apartments and golf at the luxury Denarau golf course
• The opportunity for a team to play in the pro-am tournament leading up to the Pegasus New Zealand Women’s Golf Open in Canterbury
• A 42 inch flat screen high definition TV
• A bottle of John Hawkesby 2006 Malbec wine. A similar bottle sold for $3800 last time it went up for auction.
and
• A Queenstown winter weekend break for two - including flights, accommodation at the Sofitel Hotel, two ski passes to either Coronet Peak or the Remarkables, two bungy jumps, a case of Central Otago wine, a scenic helicopter flight for two, spa treatment, 10 dozen oysters, and dinner and breakfast at top Queenstown eateries.

Bayleys Queenstown and Southland director David Murray hopes the auction of 15 high-value items at the end of the opening day’s play at the championship will raise more than $75,000 for Guide Dog Services. Each dog costs more than $22,500 to breed, raise, train and match to blind persone, and guide dogs are provided to handlers without charge. The RNZFB’s Guide Dog Services currently receives no Government funding. Guide Dog Services is supported by Bayleys’ sponsorship, public donations and other sources.

“The Southland Times/More FM breakfast show publicity package is the first time such an opportunity has ever been made available, and is the perfect opportunity for a local Otago or Southland personality to launch themselves into stardom,” Mr Murray said.

“There are approximately 240 working guide dogs in New Zealand which are all trained by the RNZFB's Guide Dog Services. The Otago and Southland regions are home to both fully fledged guide dogs and guide dog puppy trainers,” Mr Murray said.

“With 29 corporate hospitality tents and retail outlets, the players’ lounge, the scoreboard, and New Zealand Golf’s headquarters surrounding the merchandising enclosure, there will be hundreds of golfing enthusiasts milling around and welcome to join in the bidding for this highly worthwhile cause,” Mr Murray added.

“We would hope that some of the funds raised for Guide Dog Services at the New Zealand Golf Open charity auction could come back and support a local Otago or Southland recipient.”

ENDS

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