Generosity for auction overwhelms former All Black

Marleen Goedhart with some of the cricket and rugby memorabilia and wine to be auctioned to help David Thorne. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Former All Black Grahame Thorne is "amazed" at some of the memorabilia being auctioned next week to help his son David, who had a stroke after a club rugby game in May.

The David Thorne Gala Dinner and Auction next Thursday evening at the Langham Hotel in Auckland will raise money for David's rehabilitation.

"There is some bloody amazing stuff going up for auction. It's one of the best collections of memorabilia and other sundry items I've seen," Mr Thorne said yesterday.

Items include overseas trips, award-winning wines, rugby tickets and signed rugby jerseys.

"People have been amazing and their generosity has been outstanding."

Mr Thorne said David's rehabilitation would be "a long, hard process".

"He can walk, he can't speak but he can grunt, he can't read and he can't remember things ... he's back home and it's not easy.

"It's like an avalanche that's taken out a road and you can't get through the avalanche."

Former All Blacks Colin Meads and Eric Rush will give speeches, All Black coach Graham Henry will hold a "question and answer" session and former television presenter John Hawkesby will be master of ceremonies.

Organiser Marleen Goedhart said it was difficult to estimate how much money would be raised.

* Tickets cost $225 each and can be bought by contacting Ms Goedhart on 09 845 5540 or by email.


UP FOR GRABS

Donated items up for auction for David Thorne include:

* Framed photograph signed by the 1905 - "The Originals" - All Blacks.

* Entrance ticket and programme from the 1960 Rome Olympics signed by Sir Murray Halberg, Peter Snell and Arthur Lydiard.

* Framed envelope signed by cricketers Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Colin Cowdrey and Sir Richard Hadlee.