Revamped telethon to help Christchurch

Jason Kerrison, left, Brooke Howard-Smith, Julian Wilcox, Carol Hirschfeld, Pippa Wetzell, John Hawkesby and Hamish Carter at the launch of the Rise Up Christchurch Global Telethon appeal. Photo NZPA/David Rowland

Rise Up Christchurch is a chance to show younger generations how Kiwis can unite together, event organiser Brooke Howard-Smith says.

From 9am to 9pm this Sunday, the Rise Up Christchurch Global Telethon will aim to raise as much money as possible for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Held three months to the day since the 6.3 magnitude earthquake, organisers hope the event will encourage Kiwis to once more dig into their pockets to help rebuild the city.

Mr Howard-Smith says the public and companies have really got in behind the event, but he would not say how much has been raised already.

"I want it to be a surprise. Suffice to say I think everyone's expectations for this particular event are set at a reasonable level but we hope to over-deliver. I can say I think we are all going to be happy at the end."

Mr Howard-Smith says organisers have not had any trouble finding entertainment for the 12-hour event.

"We are really worried about having too much. Because you can't say no when Peter Jackson and Sir Ian McKellen call up and say they've made some short films for you. We had an email from Prince Edward last week saying 'hey, we can give 30 minutes at Buckingham Palace'.

"Then there is all the stuff happening in Los Angeles with Martin Henderson and Anna Paquin.

"We started off with 'are we going to have enough material' and now we're at 'what are we going to drop?'"

While the word "telethon" is in the event's title, Mr Howard-Smith stresses it will be different to past events.

"There's no way you can replicate what they did - what they did was incredible and it was a different time. In 1979 and 1984 there was one TV channel. So when they put on a show they put it on ... it was the only thing that was on TV.

"We want to replicate some part of that - the ethos, the idea of a grandparent walking a grandkid in and showing them how Kiwis dig in.

"That ethos is why the word telethon is in there. It still is the only word in the English language which signifies an entire country getting together for one cause on a single day."

One way people can donate is through challenging their friends or celebrities online, and donating once the challenge has been completed.

Celebrities already challenged include Wanna-Ben's Ben Boyce, who will shave off his trademark dreads, and comedian Mike King, who will be given hair extensions.

"It is not all hair-based, of course," Mr Howard-Smith says.

"[Boxer] Shane Cameron has been challenged by Candy Lane to dance with the stars. I'm going to put Shane in some sort of lycra suit and Shane is going to be tango-ing by Sunday evening."

The event will be held in four New Zealand centres - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin - and also in Sydney.

"A big drive for us is getting people to events," Mr Howard-Smith says.

"Getting people along is going to be important because we need to show our new generation, if anything, just that ethos of how Kiwis rally together, we have a good time, and we put some money in a bucket."

Rise Up Christchurch Global Telethon website

Venues:

Christchurch

CBS Canterbury Arena, 11am-9pm (Addington)
Public event, free (koha welcomed)

• Live music: The Feelers, OpShop, The Jordan Luck Band, Iva Lamkum, Six 60 and Kids of 88
• Fashion Show featuring Nicky Watson, Sally Ridge and more
• Ambassadors include: Julian Wilcox, Mike McRoberts, Rachel Hunter, Nicky Watson, Paula Herbert and Jason Gunn with support from Bob Parker.

Wellington

Museum of New Zealand; Te Papa Tongarewa, 9am-9pm Public event, free (koha welcomed)

• Rise Up Fashion Challenge with Amber Peebles
• Dance Challenge with Candy Lane
• Ambassadors include: Tamati Coffey, Candy Lane, Amber Peebles, Shane Cameron and special surprise guests

Auckland

Trusts Stadium Arena, 9am-6pm (Henderson, West Auckland)
Public event, free (koha welcomed)

• Live music from Dane Rumble, PNC, Dallas Tamaira (Fat Freddy's Drop), Young Sid, Midnight Youth, LugerBoa and The Checks
• Canterbury Relief Games featuring 12 teams of well-known Kiwis including stars from Shortland St, Almighty Johnsons, Spartacus, Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, Sione's Wedding, Power Rangers, The Crowd Goes Wild, The Edge, Hyundai CODE and sporting legends including Ruben Wiki and Eroni Clarke
• Sella online auctions
• Ambassadors include: Stacey Morrison, Carol Hirschfeld, Pippa Wetzell, Andrew Mulligan, Ben Boyce, Mike King, Ali Williams, Dave Gibson and Te Arahi Maipi

SkyCity
Prime Minister's Dinner, 6pm-10pm
Table of 10 for $2,500. To book phone 09 363 6000

• First class three course meal from the SkyCity kitchen
• Live and silent auction with all proceeds going to the Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund
• Live performances by Annabel Fay, Julia Deans and Annie Crummer
• Guests include: Prime Minister John Key, Mark Weldon, Auckland Mayor Len Brown, players from the Vodafone Warriors and business leaders

Sydney

Manly Warringah League Club
Tickets $150. Table of 10 for $1,350. Make a booking

• Charity luncheon hosted by Benji Marshall
• Auction of sporting memorabilia
• Guests include: Benji Marshall, former All Black Glen Osborne, Sky TV sports presenter Melodie Robinson and Manly Sea Eagles players