David Beckham Hits New Zealand For Kids And Animals

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

David Beckham was in Auckland, New Zealand, last week for several charity events.

First up was a benefit gala for KidsCan, a charity dedicated to meeting the basic physical needs of financially disadvantaged children, leveling the playing field for them so they have the chance to reach their full potential.

Beckham was joined at the gala – held last Thursday, December 4 – by members of New Zealand’s All Blacks, the national rugby team and patrons of the charity, as well as Hollywood star Martin Henderson, who was born in New Zealand.

The evening featured an auction in which Beckham paid $9,000 for a print of Barack Obama, only to donate back to the auction to raise even more cash.

Next on the agenda was a soccer match between his team, LA Galaxy, and the Oceania All Stars to benefit the New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Saturday, December 6.

The game – won by the LA Galaxy – was preceeded by an exhibition match between New Zealand celebrities, such as Dai Henwood, Jason Gunn, and Monty Betham. The warm-up match benefited New Zealand-based charities such as KidsCan and Find Your Field of Dreams, a new charity set up by athlete John Walker to make a positive impact the lives of young people in South Auckland by providing them with opportunities to live healthy, active lifestyles and pursue a positive pathway through sport and recreation.

“Our passion is to produce fit, healthy and active young people who make positive choices and dare to pursue their dreams,” said Walker, the first person to run a mile in under 3 minutes 50 seconds. “We want to do all we can to get our kids active and involved in sports rather than following temptations to illegal, time-wasting or unhealthy activities. To achieve that, we need the support of all sectors of the community; clubs, teams, volunteers, individuals, schools and sporting and recreation organizations.”

Beckham is also well known for his support of UNICEF.

Kiwi Celebrities Hold Auction For Puppy Shelter

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:06:19 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Dozens of familiar Kiwi faces are lending their support to a new celebrity charity auction in New Zealand, to raise funds for a new puppy shelter.

The RNZSPCA (Royal New Zealand Society For The Provention of Cruelty To Animals) needs $74,000 to build the new shelter in the southern city of Dunedin, and a host of well known faces have come out in force to help them by donating items ranging from signed photos to a batch of muffins.

Olympic gold-winning cyclist Sarah Ulmer has joined with comedian Dai Henwood, All Black Byron Kelleher, Outrageous Fortune stars Antony Starr and Antonia Prebble, as well as Verlaines guitarist Graeme Downes to launch the auction. A professionally mounted poster signed by the stars of the country’s longest running soap, Shortland Street, is also on offer.

“Dunedin gets bitterly cold, and the puppies’ current shelter does not provide them with adequate protection from the elements,” said auction organizer, Marika Bevin-Jones. “We don’t want puppies to go through another winter in these conditions.”

The auction will run on TradeMe from February 27 until March 5, and can be accessed using the keywords “Otago SPCA Puppy Shelter”.

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David Beckham Hits New Zealand For Kids And Animals

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