Online bidding for Aussie cricketers’ shirts approaching $25,000

The auction of commemorative Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) cricket shirts, worn by the Australian team during the first day's play of the Third Test in Perth , has attracted bids totaling over $24,000.

The shirts carry special 80^th anniversary RFDS badges and were donated by Cricket Australia , the RFDS's charity partner. Each shirt will be signed by the player who wore it.

The RFDS celebrates its 80^th anniversary this year.

Bidding for the shirts commenced at the start of play yesterday and accelerated rapidly following the appearance of the RFDS Chairman, Tim Fischer, during Channel Nine's and ABC Radio's broadcasts of the game.

Thousands of cricket fans have visited the RFDS website, where the shirts are being auctioned.

Australian Captain, Ricky Ponting, has proved to be the most popular player so far, attracting bids of over $4,000 for his shirt. Bids for Adam Gilchrist's and Andrew Symonds' shirt have also exceeded $3,000.

Proceeds from the auction will raise much-needed funds for the RFDS's work providing health services across Australia .

The auction continues at www.flyingdoctor.net until 1:30pm AEDT on Monday 21 January.

ENDS

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