Sports stars shine for Halberg charity dinner

Former Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming meets 'Halberg Kid' Faith Leen. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Kiwi sports fanatics had the chance to rub shoulders with some of our country's brightest stars at a glitzy and glamourous event in Auckland last night - and a few were lucky enough to walk away with unique sporting memorabilia.

Guests at the Halberg Sports for Life charity dinner were given roses by "Halberg kids" as they arrived at the SkyCity Convention Centre.

A live auction of memorabilia and other prizes raised funds for the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.

Some of the items up for auction at the Harcourts-hosted event included a table for 10 at the 2016 Halberg Awards hosted by Kiwi rugby icon Colin Meads, a tennis racquet signed by Venus Williams, and a 2015 Rugby World Cup ball signed by Dan Carter.

There was also an autographed photo set commemorating Brendon McCullum's 302 against India last year, and a dinner with sports legends Rob Waddell and Barbara Kendall.

Fishing charters in the Poor Knights islands also went under the hammer and, for entertainment lovers, there were two premium tickets to see Madonna at Vector Arena, including dinner and drinks for two at Auckland waterfront restaurant Botswana Butchery.

Tickets to last night's black tie event started at $210.

Former All White Ivan Vicelich meets 'Halberg Kid' Connor Fa'asega. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The crowd was kept entertained by Sky Sport commentator Scotty Stevenson, who hosted a panel discussion featuring Fleming, former Warriors player Steve Price, New Zealand Rugby Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens and Paralympic sit skier Corey Peters.

Last year's inaugural Sports for Life dinner raised close to $60,000.

The charity, set up by Olympic gold medallist Sir Murray Halberg, works to enhance the lives of physically disabled New Zealanders by enabling them to participate in sport and recreation.

Check nzherald.co.nz this morning to see how much the sporting memorabilia fetched at the auction.