Signed sports equipment raises money for child with cancer

Amelia Bennett is a "positive" young girl. Photo/supplied

Equipment signed by sports stars will be auctioned off this weekend to raise money for a Whanganui girl with stage four cancer.

Amelia Bennett, 9, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer in February and faces a year of "intensive cancer treatment", family friend Paula Conder said.

"She's a very positive girl, and a very positive family," Mrs Conder said.

A Givealittle page has been set up to help fund travel and living costs, and has raised more than $13,000.

All money raised in the auctions this weekend will go into the Givealittle account.

Up for grabs on Trademe is a pair of rugby boots donated and signed by All Black Liam Messam, an extra large jacket signed by World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon, a Warriors ball signed by Stacey Jones and Dean Bell, a Central Pulse netball signed by Irene van Dyk and other players, and an All Blacks bag signed by Liam Messam.

Some of the items come with sports hampers and goodies donated by PAK'nSAVE Whanganui.

The auctions can be found through Trademe user cwilliamc1998. They all close on Sunday.

Mrs Conder said Amelia was often flying back and forth to Auckland for treatment, and would be "lucky" to have a day at home before heading into Whanganui Hospital.

"Amelia's had to put up with an awful lot," she said.

She described her as a "trooper".

Mrs Conder works as a teacher at St George's School, and said a 13-year-old girl in her class who did not know Amelia took it upon herself to get a jersey signed by the All Blacks to auction off as well.

The girl knew someone who knew Nehe Milner-Skudder and arranged to get the jersey signed by the team, Mrs Conder said.

"She doesn't even know Amelia . . . I just thought it was really amazing that she wanted to do something like that herself without any encouragement from anyone."

Head to givealittle.co.nz/cause/amelia to donate to the family.