KEY POINTS:
The Aussies have twisted Prime Minister John Key's arm - not the broken one - into raising funds for a charity for the blind in Solomon Islands.
Mr Key visited Honiara today on his way back from a Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Papua New Guinea. At that meeting Kevin Rudd had signed Mr Key's cast and today Mr Key was approached by part of the police contingent serving here, they suggested he auction the cast to raise funds for a charity for the blind.
"I said no problem at all we'll do that,," Mr Key told reporters.
He is putting it on Trade Me with a $1000 starting bid.
"If it sells for a thousand I'll write them a cheque if it sells for more than that then we'll send the funds over."
Some of the leaders travelling with Mr Key signed the cast and one of the Ramsi team wrote "nice trip?"
The cast comes off in a fortnight. Mr Key was not too worried about where it might end up.
"That will be for the buyer to determine where to place it but I am sure it will be pride of place somewhere in the lounge, proudly on display somewhere as a sign of a good trip to the Solomon Islands."
Maggie Tait's trip to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea was sponsored by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation - www.pcf.org.nz
- NZPA
