Rich-lister slides $50k to charity

Eric Watson.

Rich-lister Eric Watson has come to the rescue of a bid to create the world's longest waterslide by donating $50,000.

Live More Awesome, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of depression, needed to sell 800 tickets by 8pm on Monday to fund the building of a 600m inflatable slide in West Auckland after sponsorship fell through.

Having raised nearly $47,000, organiser Jimi Hunt received a call from the Warriors owner offering to donate the money - meaning just $3000 more is needed by Monday.

Mr Hunt said he had spent the past four months trying to raise the funds, but Mr Watson had not popped onto his radar.

"We'd been hitting up everyone we could think of ... Then I got a call saying, 'Hi, I'm Eric Watson, I'd like to give you $50,000'."

The pair struck a deal, whereby the slide would open an extra half-day for a group of 50 families associated with the Kids Can charity to use.

Mr Watson said he chose Kids Can - which supports disadvantaged children - because it had a long association with the Warriors and he knew the families would enjoy the slide. He was also happy to support Live More Awesome.

"All around the world countries are not good at talking about mental illnesses, so to have such a fun activity making headlines internationally that is associated with depression is a great thing for raising awareness.

"I congratulate Jimi on what he's doing. It's a great Kiwi initiative that deserved backing."

Mr Watson said he would love to have a go on the slide, which is due to operate on March 28 and 29 and half the next day.

Kids Can chief executive and founder Julie Chapman was thrilled at the opportunity to take families on the slide.

"A lot of the children we support don't often get out of their communities; this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of them."