Auckland based amphibious boat manufacturer Sealegs International has donated $51,000 to Plunket Christchurch to assist the Society in re-establishing its services in the earthquake stricken city.

The money was raised at a charity auction in Paris recently where Sealegs donated the net proceeds from a limited edition "All Blacks" Sealegs 7.1 metre amphibious boat at an auction of luxury products.

The auction, On March 1, was held at the prestigious 'Artcurial' auction house at the Hotel Marcel Dassault on the Rond Point des Champs Elysees.

Sealegs Chairman Mr Eric Series today handed over a cheque for $51,000 to Jenny Prince, the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society Inc, in Auckland.

Mr Series said the donation would go toward helping Plunket rebuild its operation in Christchurch which had been severely hampered by the September 4th 2010 and February 22nd earthquakes. The All Blacks are the linking partner between Sealegs and Plunket, because Plunket is the official charity and Sealegs the official marine partner of the All Blacks.

Plunket's Area office in Oxford Terrace in the CBD was one of a number of Plunket premises severely damaged by the latest quake and has been 'red stickered. This has caused massive logistical difficulties in continuing services to Christchurch's families and infants.

"Our hearts go out to all the people in Christchurch who have been affected and particularly to those with babies who need all the friendly support and services for which Plunket is renowned" Mr Series said.

Ms Prince said the donation would make a crucial difference to Plunket Christchurch, "Our funding both through central government and public donation is limited and something like a devastating earthquake leaves us with significantly stretched financial resources. We are incredibly grateful to Sealegs for putting the amphibious boat up for auction, and to the buyer who wishes to remain anonymous, whom we would otherwise wish to thank personally".

Ms Prince said that Plunket had moved its Christchurch area office to Addington on a temporary basis, "but the strains of having our main Area office out of action have made the management of our service in Christchurch difficult".

Recently Sealegs sent two 6.1 metre RIB rescue craft and crew to provide assistance in the Brisbane floods in Australia. The internationally unique and patented New Zealand invention immediately proved its worth with a rescue of 40 people at Logan, one of the worst affected areas, in conjunction with the Queensland State Emergency Services (SES) rescue operations.

Background Information on Sealegs

Sealegs is based in Auckland, New Zealand, where the Sealegs concept of amphibious boating was first invented and where they continue to be manufactured. The majority of the craft are sold and used by customers all over the world and there are now over 500 Sealegs amphibious boats in 25 countries worldwide.

Sealegs Corporation Limited is a public company listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange Main Board with the ticker symbol SLG.

Sealegs Corporation owns 100% of Sealegs International Limited, the world's leading manufacturer of amphibious boats. Sealegs International has developed a patented system of hydraulically motorised, steerable and retractable wheels for amphibious boats.

In late 2009 Sealegs concluded its largest single order when a fleet of 10 specially constructed Sealegs amphibious boats were shipped to Malaysia.

The boats comprised eight 'Red' fire and rescue boats ordered by the Malaysian Fire Department and a further two 'Grey' military boats for commando applications. For more information on Sealegs see www.sealegs.com For high resolution media photos see www.sealegs.com/media