For the first time this year Queenstown is hosting an Art to Heart charity auction to raise funds for vital heart research.

Tickets are selling fast for the Art to Heart charity auction and dinner which will be held at the Millenium Hotel on Friday, September 24.  Similar auctions have been held in Christchurch and Nelson, but this is the first time Queenstown has hosted a National Heart Foundation art auction.

The event will feature more than 40 paintings by some of New Zealand's finest artists, including Queenstown-Lakes artists Paul Cato, Ivan Clarke, Angus Watson and Belinda Innes.  Two sculptures, a 'Diamond in Bubbles' raffle, a string of black Tahitian pearls, Hoglund glass, an All Black rugby jersey signed by the 2004 team and a box of Nobilo premier wines are also up for auction.

Art to Heart event organiser Dorothy Forbes said cardiovascular disease continued to be the nation's leading cause of death, accounting for 40% of deaths, or 10,500 people each year.

"The Heart Foundation is committed to promoting evidence-based heart health information to New Zealand health professionals and the public, and we are proud to be a leading provider of funding for heart research in this country," Ms Forbes said.

Entry to Art to Heart is by ticket only, at a cost of $100 per person.  Tickets can be purchased from the Heart Foundation on 027 483 3570.  Interested bidders can view all the donated artworks in the Millenium Hotel on the day.

ENDS

For further information contact Art to Heart event organiser Dorothy Forbes 03 343 2204 or Heart Foundation Communications Manager Kirsty Thomas 09 571 9182.

By: Kiri