Colin Firth and Kylie Minogue Reach out to Christchurch Kids

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday May 16 at 12 midday, a National online auction appeal Stars 4 Kids will be launched in New Zealand. Stars 4 Kids has been set up to raise funds for two Christchurch schools, Shirley Primary and Avonside Girls' High, both badly damaged in the February 22nd earthquake. The auction will be run through New Zealand's #1 auction site - Trade Me (http://trade.me/stars4kids) and can also be accessed by Australia.

Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry have donated signed items along with Academy Award winners Colin Firth (Best Lead Actor in The King's Speech), Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe and Emmy Award winner Hugh Jackman. Kylie Minogue, Jeremy Clarkson, James Nesbitt, Donald Trump, Sir Ian McKellen, Guy Pearce, Status Quo, Jason Donovan, Ruby Wax, Kathy Lette, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Ross Kemp are just a few who have given their support to Stars 4 Kids.

Stars 4 Kids has been organised by Christchurch mother Mandy Cook, whose children attend both schools. Mandy was formerly a publicist with Network TEN Sydney during the late 80's and 90's before returning to Christchurch in the late 90's. "I wanted to help in some way just like many other New Zealanders' are doing. I'm very lucky that I can access some of these people and incredibly thankful to all my ex-colleagues and friends around the world who have helped secure these amazing items. People like Jonathon Coleman, ex Virgin Radio, Heart FM and BBC London, also Lyndel Harrison from the Lyric Hammersmith London have been amazing. Unfortunately the UK cannot access Trade Me, but if someone has contacts in either Australia or New Zealand they can get them to bid on their behalf." All items can be previewed prior to the auction starting through http://stars4kids.blogspot.com.

Shirley Primary Principal Sylvia Fidow said today, "Shirley Primary School was greatly affected by the earthquake on the 22nd of February, as one child said 'there are rivers of liquefaction everywhere at our school.' One of the most upsetting things has been the loss of our swimming pool. The majority of our students learn about water safety and how to swim in our pool, without it they will not learn how to keep safe near water-vital skills needed in our country. We are very thankful that such a high calibre of entertainers are willing to help our school community."

Avonside Girls' High Principal Sue Hume says "Our school suffered significant damage in the earthquake and there is a real sense of loss at not being able to return at this stage to our school. There is also uncertainty about our next steps, as we still await reports and a plan for our future. We know that Avonside Girls' High School, which has had a strong role in educating girls in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch for the past 84 years, will continue to do so. The money raised from the fundraiser will be of great benefit to the school community as we work together on re-establishing Avonside Girls' High School."

A full list of items can be viewed prior to the auctions on http://stars4kids.blogspot.com

Due to the amount of items available, there will be 2 separate lots of Stars 4 Kids auctions. The auctions will commence on Trade Me at midday (NZ time) on the following dates and close 7 days later at 9PM. Monday May 16 and Monday May 23.

    
    For further information contact:
    Mandy Cook - NZ
    +64 3 389 1576 or
    +64 27 231 4377

    Sylvia Fidow - Principal, Shirley Primary NZ
    +64 3 385 2019
    or + 64 27 425 0455

    Lyndel Harrison - UK
    +44 795 714 1674

    Sue Hume - Principal, Avonside Girl's High NZ
    +64 3 389 7199 or
    +64 27 626 0075

    
    STARS 4 KIDS - LOT 1 - (http://trade.me/stars4kids)
    Start May 16 - 12.00 midday time (NZ time)
    End May 23 - 9.00 pm (NZ time)
    ITEMS SIGNED AND/OR WITH MESSAGE.

    Colin Firth - The King's Speech BAFTA entry DVD
    Pirates of the Caribbean - Captain Jack Sparrow (J Depp)
    Geoffrey Rush - Pirates and King's Speech
    Russell Crowe - Rabbitoh's cap and Robin Hood poster
    Kylie Minogue - 2011 Calender
    Donald Trump - Think Like a Champion Book
    Michael Buble -CD
    Keith Urban - Shirt and photograph
    Scribe - Framed pic/red carpet from NZ MusicAwards
    Shortland Street - T-shirts/cast poster/bottle
    Outrageous Fortune -Top worn by 'Cheryl' (R Malcolm)
    Packed To The Rafters - Season 1 DVD
    Celebrity Apprentice - Crew Jacket
    Topp Twins - CD/DVD/Book set
    Lord of The Rings/Gandalf Poster - Sir Ian McKellen
    Canterbury Crusaders Jersey
    Jeremy Clarkson - The World According To Clarkson Vol2
    The Mentalist - Season 1 & 2 on DVD plus cap
    Master Chef Australia - Apron
    Neighbours - Scripts for Ep 1 and Ep 6000 plus T-shirt
    Survivor - Cap and photo
    Annabel Langbein - Great Food For Busy Lives x 2
    Garrick Tremain - Original framed cartoon
    The King's Speech Poster - Guy Pearce (King Edward VIII) x 2
    Status Quo - 40 Years of Hits CD
    Logan Brown - Hunger For the Wild Book
    Peta Mathias - French Toast/Just in Time to be Too Late/Can We Help It 
     If We're Fabulous
    Dragon - DVD and 3 CD Pack
    The Sound Of Music - UK Programme and x T-Shirts
    HI-5 - DVD/Sticker/Poster Card Pack x 2
    Sticky TV - T-shirt & poster
    Drew & Shannon Live - Poster x 2
    Geoff Huegill - Framed photo and swimmers/togs
    What Now - 1x adult, 9 x kids VIP's at the show
    Erin Simpson - VIP guest
    Bill McCormick - print of CHCH Cathedral

    
    STARS 4 KIDS - LOT 2 - (http://trade.me/stars4kids)
    Start May 23 - 12.00 midday (NZ time)
    End May 30 - 9 pm (NZ time)
    ITEMS SIGNED AND/OR WITH MESSAGE.

    Australian Kangaroos Jersey
    Kylie Minogue - The Show Girl Princess
    Hugh Jackman - X-MEN ORIGINS Wolverine Limited edition storyboard
    Gin Wigmore - song lyrics/pic/badges
    Shane Warne - My Own Story
    Jeremy Clarkson - Top Gear The Great Adventures DVD Box Set
    Cold Chisel - DVD/CD Pack
    Shortland Street - T-Shirts/drink bottle
    Survivor - Cap and photograph
    Hawaii Five-O - script & photograph
    Home & Away - signed script
    John Clarke - aka Fred Dagg - DVD/CD/Book Pack
    The Kings Speech Poster - Guy Pearce (King Edward VIII) x 2
    Duchess of York - photograph taken by Duchess
    James Nesbitt - DVD Occupation
    The Mentalist - Converse Shoes and cap
    Logan Brown - Hunger for The Wild - Book
    Sticky TV - Poster & T-shirt
    Kiss Kiss Yuck Yuck & Duck's Stuck - Children's book
    Annabel Langbein - Great Food For Busy Lives x 2
    Ruby Wax - How Do You Want Me Book
    Sophie Ellis Bextor - CD includes hit "Murder on the Dance Floor"
    The Topp Twins - The Complete Collection DVD Set
    Drew & Shannon - Poster
    Geoff Huegill - Framed photograph x 2
    Guy Sebastian -CD
    Australian Lifeguard TV Series - signed lifeguard shirt
    Kathy Lette - British best selling author 2 x books
    Ross Kemp - 2x DVD's
    HI-5 - CD/Sticker/poster card
    Neighbours - Cast poster
    Topp Twins & The Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra DVD
    Bill McCormick - print CHCH Tram