Tue, 25 Jan 2005

Cricket decider will see chase for tsunami dollars

Tomorrow's (Wednesday, 26 Jan) Black Caps versus the FICA World XI decider in Hamilton will see a chase for dollars as well as a chase for runs.

So far the one-day series has generated about $750,000 for tsunami relief, leaving $250,000 to be raised on the final game to reach the target of $1m.

World Vision marketing director Bruce Waldin said today the dollar chase hung in the balance with a much smaller crowd able to attend the Hamilton game.

It will be very challenging to match the amount raised in Christchurch and Wellington from the collection at the ground, but hopefully significant money will flow in from other sources, such as television viewers, he said.

Organisers hope a big boost will come from the performances of the cricketers on the field.

The New Zealand government has pledged $20 for every run, $1,000 for every four and $5,000 for every six, scored during the series. Meanwhile energy company Vector has pledged $3,000 for each catch.

Star performances such as Stephen Fleming's nine sixes and ten fours in the Christchurch game can boost the fundraising total by over $50,000.

Mr Waldin said an exciting innings could generate over $100,000.

Meanwhile television viewers of the game will be invited to call appeal line number 0800 277 667 and mobile phone users can text the word AID to short code 883 to make an instant $3 donation to the appeal total.

All money raised will go to New Zealand Cricket Tsunami Relief and will then be distributed between Cricket Aid “ a Sri Lankan Cricket relief initiative and aid agency World Vision.

ENDS

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