Media release

Monday 16 May 2011

Rise Up Christchurch telethon - less than a week to go!

With less than one week to go until the Rise Up Christchurch - Te Kotahitanga telethon on Sunday May 22, Kiwis - and a right royal other - are getting behind it in a big way.

Event spokesperson Brooke Howard-Smith says every day more people are coming to the party with offers of help and support.

One of the latest to offer support to the Telethon is Prince Edward, who plans to send a message of support from London. The Prince knows New Zealand well as he spent his gap year here in 1982.

VIP musos Neil Finn is performing a piece to be aired as part of the Telethon broadcast on Maori Television, and Katy Perry has donated a signed guitar and bottle of her perfume for the official Telethon auction at www.sella.co.nz/riseup .

"I hope the Telethon will be supported by people all around the world to show solidarity and support for the ongoing struggle that the good people of Christchurch have to face while their city is restored," Neil Finn says.

Sir Ian McKellen and the cast of The Hobbit have also pledged their support, and boxing star Shane Cameron has volunteered to get on the dancefloor with Candy Lane for the event.

He says, "It's overwhelming how New Zealanders operate - we get in behind each other, it's who we are as a country so I'm happy to put on the silly tights to do my bit. I have a few friends down there but they were lucky enough to be unaffected by the quake. I hope people dig deep and show their support of Christchurch."

Details of the activity taking place on the ground in each of the main centres - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch - are listed below.

Highlights include the Canterbury Relief Games, a celebrity obstacle course at Trusts Stadium Arena involving a huge range of stars from screen and sport, a dance challenge with Dancing With The Stars' Candy Lane at Te Papa in Wellington featuring Shane Cameron and other surprise guests, and a celebrity fashion show and amazing live music line-up in Christchurch.

The telethon is also crossing live to all the action happening across the globe. In Sydney, Kiwis captain and league superstar Benji Marshall will host a high-profile sporting luncheon and auction.

Los Angeles hosts a hangi being put down by Kiwi stars Martin Henderson and Mark Hewlett for celebrity guests including Anna Paquin, Chris Hobbs, Greg Johnson and more.

In London, the Telethon team is crossing to a range of famous guests offering their support for Christchurch, including ex-pat radio star Zane Lowe and Prince Edward.

CHRISTCHURCH

CBS Canterbury Arena, 11am-9pm (Addington)

Public event, free (koha welcomed)

* Live music from the feelers, Op Shop, the Jordan Luck Band, Iva Lamkum, Six 60 and Kids of 88

* Fashion Show featuring Nicky Watson, Sally Ridge and more

Ambassadors include: Julian Wilcox, Mike McRoberts, Rachel Hunter, Nicky Watson, Paula Herbert and Jason Gunn with support from Bob Parker.

WELLINGTON

Museum of New Zealand; Te Papa Tongarewa, 9am-9pm

Public event, free (koha welcomed)

* Rise Up Fashion Challenge with Amber Peebles

* Dance Challenge with Candy Lane

Ambassadors include: Tamati Coffey, Candy Lane, Amber Peebles, Shane Cameron and special surprise guests

AUCKLAND

Trusts Stadium Arena, 9am-6pm (Henderson, West Auckland)

Public event, free (koha welcomed)

* Live music from Dane Rumble, PNC, Dallas Tamaira (Fat Freddy's Drop), Young Sid, Midnight Youth, Luger Boa and The Checks

* Canterbury Relief Games featuring 12 teams of well-known Kiwis including stars from Shortland St, Almighty Johnsons, Spartacus, Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, Sione's Wedding, Power Rangers, The Crowd Goes Wild, The Edge, Hyundai CODE and sporting legends including Ruben Wiki and Eroni Clarke

* sella.co.nz live auctions

Ambassadors include: Stacey Morrison, Carol Hirschfeld, Pippa Wetzell, Andrew Mulligan, Ben Boyce, Mike King, Ali Williams, Dave Gibson and Te Arahi Maipi.

SKYCITY - Prime Minister's Dinner, 6pm-10pm

Table of 10, $2,500. To book ph 09 363 6000

* First class three course meal from the SKYCITY kitchen

* Live and silent auction with all proceeds going to the Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund

* Live performances by Annabel Fay, Julia Deans and Annie Crummer.

Guests include: Prime Minister John Key, Mark Weldon, Auckland Mayor Len Brown, players from the Vodafone Warriors and business leaders.

SYDNEY

Manly Warringah Leagues Club

Tickets $150, table of 10 $1,350. To book, go to http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/130046AC96028386?artistid=1596585&m ajorcati

d=10005&minorcatid=603

* Charity luncheon hosted by Benji Marshall

* Auction of sporting memorabilia

Guests include: Benji Marshall, former All Black Glen Osborne, Sky TV sports presenter Melodie Robinson and Manly Sea Eagles players

Rise Up Christchurch -Te Kotahitanga is a 12-hour global telethon for Christchurch beginning at 9am, on Sunday 22 May. Supported by Fonterra, it is being broadcast on Maori Television from Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, with live crosses to regional centres and global activities in London, Los Angeles and Sydney.

From Thursday 19 May to Sunday 22 May, Fonterra staff and shareholders from all over New Zealand are collecting for a street appeal. All money collected goes to the Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

For more information, see www.riseup.org.nz or the attached backgrounder.

ends

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