Legendary bat raises funds

WINNER: Ratish Verma with the signed Black Caps cricket bat. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

It was a bidding war right to the end for Ratish Verma, the proud new owner of a signed 2016 Black Caps cricket bat.

The item was auctioned off by the Cancer Society as a fundraiser for their annual Daffodil day.

The Cancer Society's principal sponsor ANZ donated the signed bat to help boost fundraising efforts. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Cancer Society to support services for cancer patients in Manawatu, Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and Gisborne.

Central Districts Cancer Society chief executive Clare Crawley says every year the organisation sees more people accessing its many services. These services include transporting patients, visiting them in hospital, providing massage therapy, counselling services and support groups, as well as respite care for caregivers.

"We do not receive any government funding so we're reliant on the generosity of the community on Daffodil Day. Our services would not be possible without the generous support of volunteers and donors - local people supporting locals through their cancer journey."

Mr Verma, a Real Estate agent for Property Brokers in Whanganui, says, aside from being a huge cricket fan, his motivation to bid was purely for the cause.

"Cancer doesn't care who you are. It doesn't care what colour you are, what age you are, if you are rich or poor or where you come from. Everybody knows somebody affected by cancer."

He found out about the auction through his work intranet, adding that Property Brokers was always willing to support the Cancer Society including being a major participant in Relay for Life.

He says, although he did have to go home and admit to his wife he had spent $400 on a cricket bat, they are both extremely happy and are in the process of having it framed.

For more information on the Cancer Society visit www.cancernz.org.nz.