Kidney transplant prompts auction

SOUTHLAND businessman Paul Adams is selling a boat — nothing new in that.

But it is a cause close to his heart — in more ways than one.

The Stabicraft boat manufacturer cofounder and his fiancee, Barbara Sutton, have banded together with a group of supporting business to place a new Stabicraft 1550 Fisher boat up for auction — all the proceeds going to Kidney Health New Zealand.

Mr Adams said the boat was top of the line and the couple were honoured to be gifting it for auction to support a vitally important cause.

‘‘We couldn’t have done this without our wonderful Stabi partners who’ve all pitched in to help put this epic package together,’’ he said.

Last year, Mr Adams received a lifesaving transplant with a kidney donated by Ms Sutton.

‘‘The choices were dialysis or a preferred kidney donation.

Waiting for a deceased kidney donor was a huge risk, the wait times possibly compromising my life. Dialysis would’ve been unavoidable. [A] live transplant, if I could get a donor, was the recommended option.

‘‘Being faced with a disease that will change or end your life while running a business and living day to day was far from easy.

‘‘Thankfully, Barbara and I are both now fully recovered and able to give back to help others going through the same thing.’’

The boat package, which was listed with a $1 reserve online last week, retails for $62,000.

The boat, which comes fully fitted out and ready to launch is on display at the New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland this weekend.

The Stabicraft brand was founded in 1987 and boats have been sold around the world.

The lifesaving surgery had motivated the couple to step up to help support the one in 10 New Zealanders suffering from chronic kidney disease.

‘‘Paul and I both really want to give back and support Kidney Health New Zealand’s goal of ensuring better health outcomes for the 500,000 New Zealanders living with kidney disease,’’ Ms Sutton said.

KHNZ general manager Michael Campbell said the couple’s generosity stood to make a difference — particularly in urging New Zealanders to ‘‘have the conversation’’ with friends and whanau about possible future kidney donation.

Many people were registered as donors via their driver’s licence, but had not discussed the details with their families.

‘We need to be confident we can respect a loved one’s last wishes to donate an organ if the opportunity ever arises, or whether we’d donate one as a living donor.’’

The online auction closes on May 27 and so far 38 bids had been lodged, $50,100 being the highest.