Motorsport: Rally drivers boost child cancer coffers by $17,000

Last week a world rally champion helped Andrew Simms European raise thousands of dollars for New Zealand children's cancer charity Camp Quality - Children living with Cancer.

More than $17,000 was raised when international rally drivers attended an exclusive event at Andrew Simms European to celebrate the New Zealand arrival of the 2010 World Rally Championship.

The French-themed ticket-only event featured a live interview with six-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb and his team-mate Spanish driver Danni Sordo.

Albert Llovera, the only paraplegic in the WRC, also attended and was interviewed on stage.

A range of autographed rally memorabilia was auctioned including Red Bull model Citroen rally cars and special edition Citroen WRC team T-shirts autographed by Loeb.

One of the highest bids of the night was for a day with the Andrew Simms Mitsubishi rally team, which went for $1200.

"The event was a great success. It was an honour to be able to host some of the greatest rally drivers of our time, and to share that experience with our guests," said Andrew Simms.

"I am also very proud of the efforts that went into raising an impressive donation for children's charity, Camp Quality.

"It is fantastic to know that we have been able to support a really good cause as well as celebrating what might be the last time the WRC comes to New Zealand."