Jonah's star power works wonders

Jonah Lomu with entertainers Maryanne Burney and Karen Davy during a Kidney Kids fund raising day at St Lukes. Photo / Dean Purcell

Rugby great Jonah Lomu was at Farmers St Lukes yesterday to kick off a month-long fundraising drive for Kidney Kids.

Lomu, who received a kidney transplant in 2004, is patron of the children's charity.

He signed autographs while local performers put on the SouNZ Like Kidney Kids Tribute Show, with renditions of songs from Dolly Parton, the Topp Twins, Barry White and Kylie Minogue among others.

The audience donated more than $10,000, exceeding organisers' expectations.

Farmers stores across the country have selected a charity or local community project to support. Money raised by the stores will be matched by Farmers Trading Company to the limit of $1 million, with the hope of giving $2 million to New Zealand charities.

The fundraising efforts are part of the company's centenary celebrations.

Farmers St Lukes store manager Josie Jonkers says it was a natural decision to choose Kidney Kids as the store has had a long and passionate association with the charity.

Paul Norfolk, chief executive officer of Kidney Kids, says money raised will be used to stage camps for children with kidney diseases.

The fundraising for Kidney Kids will continue through this month.