Pear Jam Books philanthropic publisher Jill Marshall (left) came up with an ingenious way of fundraising for SPCA Auckland this Christmas, with the auction of her signature pink Nissan Micra car on Trade Me.
After fierce last minute bidding, Marshall’s much-loved old faithful – a 20 year old Nissan with 225kms on the clock – sold for a record $1,500.00. The Trade Me bidding, which started at a modest $1 reserve a week ago, attracted close to 100 bids and closed after the auction was auto-extended on Monday 10 December at 10.35pm.
Affectionately known as ‘Sugar Plum’, Marshall originally bought the car from an ardent fan of her best-selling Jane Blonde series of books. Marshall secretly hopes that another fan has won the Trade Me auction, because as well as getting a cool pink car to drive around in, the successful bidder also receives an early Christmas present – a car boot-load of books from Pear Jam Books, valued at $300.00.
Immediately after the Trade Me auction closed, Marshall said that she was “absolutely thrilled her cute and cuddly car had sold for such a huge amount of money”. Animal lover Marshall, who once wanted to be a vet, said that “selling her car to support the work of SPCA Auckland during the critical Christmas season was a ‘no brainer’”. “Every dollar raised for SPCA Auckland is a dollar well spent; they do the most amazing work”, said Marshall.
Christine Kalin, CEO SPCA Auckland said “the team at SPCA Auckland would like to thank Jill Marshall for her generous support. Christmas is a busy and difficult time for us here at the SPCA Animal Village and funds raised from the auction of Jill’s distinctive pink car will help us rescue and rehome animals this holiday season.”