Sport stars set to sparkle for Grace

A Parliamentary Rugby and Netball showcase involving famous sports figures is on the cards for September to raise money for 11-year-old Grace Yeats of Carterton.

Grace, who spent months in Starship Hospital, was diagnosed with severe basal ganglia necrosis following an autoimmune encephalitis caused by Dopamine Type 2 receptor autoantibodies.

She is the 13th in the world to be diagnosed as such and of all the cases she is the most severely affected.

Grace is unable to move her body at will, speak or swallow.

The Play For Grace committee is setting up the family fun event with Wairarapa locals - and some notables - going head-to-head with teams from the Parliamentary Sports Trust on September 7.

Sam Thompson, secretary of the committee, is sorting out the netball at Masterton's Colombo Rd netball courts, while Carterton district councillor John Booth is handling the rugby at Carterton Rugby Club.

Netballers will need to bring their 'A' game, as Ms Thompson said the Parliamentary netball team is being coached by MP Louisa Wall, a former Silver Fern.

Mr Booth said there will be at least two ex-All Blacks on the local side, plus one of Grace's brothers, Finn Yeats, who plays first XV for Rathkeale College.

"This was started off by Ron Mark, who has played many games for the Parliamentary team.

"He's playing for us, by the way."

He said they put a bid in last year to get them here.

"We formed the committee early this year"

The family have already got to the point of being able to alter their house to accommodate Grace's needs, and this fundraiser is tackling phase 2 of the process.

"That's ongoing support for Grace's care and rehabilitation.

"That's what we're hoping to raise the funds for."

He said there will be fundraising at the game, and also at the after-match function.

"We're building up an auction at the moment, with pretty good auction items."

For more information, see http://playforgrace.wix.com/playforgrace