The life of former Wairarapa rugby stalwart Rob Guildford, who died suddenly last year, is to be commemorated by the setting up of a charitable trust in his name.
His brother Daren - for many years Wairarapa-Bush captain - and other family and friends banded together and launched the trust inNapier last weekend.
Rob Guildford, although regarded as a true son of Wairarapa, had moved with his wife Debbie and children to Hawke's Bay some years before his premature death.
He collapsed and died in June last year while watching the New Zealand under-20 team beat England in the age group world cup final in Tokyo in which his son Zac, who has since become an All Black, played.
The aim of the trust is to financially support selected Hawke's Bay kids from underprivileged backgrounds "who show attitude, passion and skill to potentially wear a silver fern in their chosen sport".
Guest speakers at the launch, held at the Napier Cosmopolitan Club, were All Black winger Israel Dagg and Peter Russell, formerly of Greytown and now coach of Hawke's Bay.
More than $16,000 was raised on the night from 22 items that were auctioned and the proceeds from 17 raffles.
Daren Guildford said the launch was just as much a Wairarapa affair as it was Hawke's Bay, with many Wairarapa supporters of Rob Guildford making the trip to Napier.
The top priced auction item was a signed Commonwealth Games jersey that fetched $2300, followed by a framed 2010 All Blacks jersey that reached $1900, then a Crusaders No 11 jersey for $1400. Dagg's Highlanders jersey sold for $650 and an all-expenses paid lunch for two at Oceans Cafe, accompanied by Dagg and Zac Guildford fetched $800, a signed painting of Zac Guildford $300 and an All Black cap $350.
British Lion Riki Flutey, who is related to the Guildford family, has donated several items still to be auctioned on Trade Me.
These include an English test jersey and a Lions jersey, both signed by the respective teams, Flutey's test boots and a 2010 Commonwealth Games sevens jersey signed by the gold medal-winning team.
