Hospice wins as sign sells to Lower Hutt buyer
THE All Blacks sign on the Miramar cutting has sold for just over $2000, with all proceeds going to the Mary Potter Hospice.
Wellington Airport matched the winning bid on Trade Me, doubling the donation to the hospice.
The sign was put up temporarily to cheer on Richie McCaw’s team during the Rugby World Cup but was brought down to make way for a permanent Wellington sign.
The auction closed at 11am yesterday and the sign sold for $2050.
The anonymous buyer bought the sign on behalf of an expat Kiwi who lives in LA.
‘‘He is a huge fan of both the All Blacks and the hospice and saw this as a wonderful opportunity,’’ the buyer said. ‘‘He owns a piece of land in the western hills of the Hutt Valley, so who knows when the sign may pop up again.’’
Mary Potter manager Diana Dobbinson said the amount raised by the auction was fantastic.
‘‘It’s a fabulous result,’’ she said. ‘‘We are really excited to get that money.
‘‘It will help our ongoing work in helping patients and families through what is a very difficult time in their lives.’’
She said the hospice was grateful to the airport for the initiative.
The new ‘‘Wellington Blown Away’’ sign is ready for installation and will be put in letter by letter next week.