Abuzz over another Key charity sketch

by Dana Kinita dana.kinita@dailypost.co.nz | 10th March 2010

Prime Minister John Key has once again lent his artistic talents to help out a worthy cause this week.

A signed sketch of the Beehive will be up for grabs tomorrow to raise money at the Child Cancer Charity Breakfast and Art Auction.

Organised by McDowell Professionals Real Estate Ltd, the annual fundraiser is part of the support Professionals Real Estate branches throughout the nation give during this week's Child Cancer Foundation appeal week.

McDowell's operations manager Kylee Douglas said she hoped the donated sketch by the Prime Minister would be as successful as his previous auctioned items.

A silver fern doodle quickly done on TVNZ's Breakfast sold for more than $10,000 on Trade Me two weeks ago. An auction of a silver fern carving that Mr Key made during his recent visit to Te Puia was still being finalised and a signed inflatable sheep sold for $120 on the online auction site. "After we saw him on Breakfast, we just thought we'd be a bit cheeky and emailed and invited him to attend," Ms Douglas said.

"He couldn't make it so we asked if he would do a sketch for us - we received it in the mail within a couple of days."

Other items to be auctioned for Child Cancer include a lunch at Treetops Lodge and Estate, dinner at Solitaire Lodge, an autographed Black Caps cricket bat, a four-burner barbecue and autographed Steamers and Black Caps T-shirts.

 Also joining Mr Key's artwork are 14 framed drawings for sale created by Rotorua children living with cancer.

"They'll be at the breakfast wearing their bravery beads but some are in Starship Hospital having treatment."

 Professionals Real Estate has supported the Child Cancer Foundation since 1995. "They've raised $3.2 million for Child Cancer," Ms Douglas said.

 The charity breakfast and art auction will be held from 7am to 8.30am tomorrow at Rotorua's Distinction Hotel and Conference Centre on Fenton St.

Tickets are $30 and are available at McDowell Real Estate on Eruera St or by contacting Kellie, phone (07) 348 4159.

Phone or silent bids for Mr Key's sketch can be made on auction day. Contact Ms Douglas by email at kylee@mcdowell.co.nz or phone on 027 607 4575. Child Cancer Foundation Appeal Week finishes on Sunday.