'Despicable' creation set for bidding war (+video)

FUN-DRAISER: A minion letterbox made by Geoff Innes (right) is being auctioned with Stella Angus, 8, (left) deciding the money raised will support the Child Cancer Foundation. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A minion letterbox is set to spread cheer while also benefiting the Child Cancer Foundation.

Rotorua resident Geoff Innes has meticulously crafted a letterbox of the bright yellow character seen in the animated movies, Despicable Me and Minions.

"I'm a big cartoon fan and I wanted a letterbox - it was actually going to be for [my house]," Mr Innes said.

"I scavenged the body from a junk yard, it's a compression tank and I didn't have a welder so Grant Savage [Rotorua Steel Structures] helped out."

Mr Innes, who is a handyman by trade, spent up to 40 hours working on the letterbox.

"I kept having to go on my phone to make sure that I had the arm right and the height and when I painted the eye," Mr Innes said.

"The original colour I painted it was more of a golden yellow before I ended up finding the perfect shade."

Instead of it being installed in his front yard, he has decided to use it to support Rotorua's Angus family whose daughter Stella, 8, has leukaemia.

The minion is being auctioned on

TradeMe

where last night it had reached a bid of $515 and had more than 865 views.

Stella was given the choice of who the money raised would go towards and she chose the Child Cancer Foundation.

"I love it, I want one for my bedroom," Stella said.

Stella's mother Philly Angus said they were grateful for the time and effort that went into making the unique fundraiser item.

"It's extremely generous [of Geoff], this will not only benefit Stella but other kids as well."

-The TradeMe auction, 925851040, will close next Sunday.