Superstars help quake-city telethon

R & B singer Usher has agreed to donate a personal item for the Christchurch telethon. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Tomorrow's Christchurch telethon has been boosted by the last-minute support of pop superstar Usher - and his protege Justin Bieber could be next.

Usher, who toured New Zealand last month, has agreed to give a personal item to be auctioned during the telethon, which is raising funds for the Prime Minister's Earthquake Appeal.

Telethon organiser Brooke Howard-Smith said teen idol Bieber - whose every move is followed by millions around the world - was the next celebrity in their sights.

"We are pursuing the Bieb ... if there's one Bieber item then the whole auction goes crazy."

The Rise Up Christchurch-Te Kotahitanga telethon will be broadcast on Maori TV from 9am to 9pm tomorrow.

Bids can be placed for items on the telethon's auction website sella.co.nz/riseup.

Other hot items include a pair of Gucci shoes worn and autographed by pop singer Lady Gaga, pop singer Katy Perry's guitar, and a meeting with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Howard-Smith said news of the Gaga auction had gone as far as the Nigerian Daily Times, and such publicity was crucial to getting Kiwis living overseas involved in the telethon.

He said he had assisted Usher's support crew while they were in New Zealand, and approaching the singer had been one of many favours called in to get the event up and running.

Last night Usher's management were still working through what items they could donate.

Howard-Smith said while celebrity support was great, the real success of the event would rest with ordinary New Zealanders.

"I want people to channel back to what people were feeling on that day when it happened. Because those emotions are still as relevant today as they were then.

"Those people are still struggling."

The telethon will be shot from events in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, and live crosses will be made to regional centres as well as events in London, Sydney, Los Angeles and Japan.

Auckland will feature a celebrity obstacle course and live music, while a celebrity fashion show will be among the Christchurch highlights.

Former model Rachel Hunter will be in Christchurch as a celebrity ambassador, and has urged New Zealanders to get behind the event.

In Los Angeles, Kiwi actor Martin Henderson has organised a hangi which will be attended by Anna Paquin and other stars.

Celebrities' mementoes lift auction

The items donated by celebrities such as Usher will be sold off on www.sella.co.nz, which has been chosen as the official auction site of the telethon.

All proceeds from items on sella.co.nz/riseup will go to the Prime Minister's Earthquake Appeal.

The website's general manager, Trent Helmbright, said the Gucci heels were worn by Lady Gaga during a concert in Mexico and she had since autographed them.

Last night they had attracted a top bid of $2520, but Mr Helmbright said he expected a flurry of activity to drive the price up before the auction closed tomorrow.

Other popular items include a Manchester United fan package, which includes a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson, tickets to a match, and the possibility of attending a player training session.

The package was donated by a Christchurch businessman with connections to the club, and has attracted a highest bid of $4000.

Pop singer Katy Perry has donated a signed guitar, after she recently toured the country and tweeted her love of activities such as black water rafting in the Waitomo Caves.

Mr Helmbright said people who didn't have spare cash to donate to the telethon could still contribute by listing items for auction. Many other items are available for purchase, such as family tickets to attractions such as Rainbow's End.

Sella.co.nz is owned by the Weekend Herald's parent company, APN.

Helping hand for Canterbury

Watch:
* Maori TV 9am to 9pm this Sunday.
* Streamed live on www.riseup.org.nz

Attend free events:
* Auckland: Trusts Stadium Arena, 9am-6pm (Henderson, West Auckland).
* Christchurch: CBS Canterbury Arena, 11am-9pm (Addington).
* Wellington: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 9am-9pm.

Donate:
* Donate directly to www.riseup.org.nz
* Bid for or donate items on auction website sella.co.nz/riseup
* Pledge a donation if a nominated challenge is completed - see www.riseup.org.nz