An ice axe signed by Sir Edmund Hillary was auctioned last night at a fundraiser for the Minds for Minds Trust which supports research into autism spectrum disorder.
The axe is one of a limited edition series produced in 2003 as part of the 50th anniversary of the conquest of Everest.
A "chuffed" Sheelagh James, who bought the axe for $5000, said it was for her husband who had fallen in love with it.
The original ice axe used by Sir Ed is displayed at Auckland Museum.
