Mau to MC gay fundraiser

Alison Mau is 'delighted' to be involved. Photo / Supplied

Television star Alison Mau has been named as the MC of an annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community fundraiser - and says she is "delighted" to be involved.

The Gay Auckland Business Association's GABA Charitable Trust Gold Charity Auction will be held on November 6, to raise money for health, welfare and support services that benefit the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The auction will also raise funds for a tertiary scholarship.

It was revealed last year that Mau, a presenter on TVNZ's Fair Go and a former One News presenter, was in a relationship with dance instructor Karleen Edmonds.

She was formerly married to One News frontman Simon Dallow.

It will be the first time Mau has been involved in the GABA event.

"We all know how hard it is to fund these kinds of services and how a lot of students can't afford to pursue their dreams and go on to study at a tertiary level," she said.

"So it's great to be a part of an event like this."

Among the items up for auction is a two-night getaway at the Heritage Hotel in the Bay of Islands - complete with an Alfa Giulietta to drive for the weekend. The package has a value of $1800. Also going under the hammer are two weeks' use of a Hyundai Santa Fe, dinner with MP Maryan Street and walk-on parts on television series Shortland Street.

GABA Charitable Trust chairman Gresham Bradley said the auction would raise "vital funds" that would be used where they were most needed.

"The GABA Gold Charity Auction has become one of the biggest nights of our fundraising year and we are always incredibly grateful to the variety of businesses throughout New Zealand that generously donate these fabulous items, as well as all the wonderful people that don their glad rags and dig deep to bid," he said.

GABA president Glenn Sims said the charitable trust was the only organisation dedicated solely to fundraising for the community's causes.

"We are eternally grateful for the ongoing support for GABA," he said.