Mick Fanning auctions epic celebrity items for flood victims ahead of a charity golf day

After rescuing flood victims on his jetski, Mick Fanning is now hosting a charity golf day to raise money for the Northern Rivers, with Ash Barty’s racquet from the Australian Open final among the celebrity items up for grabs

Mick Fanning has called on a host of his celebrity mates to put together a charity golf day in a bid to help victims of the Northern Rivers floods.

The inaugural Mick Fanning Charity Golf Tournament will be held in Coolangatta on Friday while celebrities have also donated items to be auctioned off on the day, with Ash Barty offering her tennis racquet from her historic Australian Open win in January.

Bidding for the racquet has already reached $19,000 within days, adding to a total $59,000 already raised.

Ash Barty and Mick Fanning at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach on April 12, 2022 at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League

During the floods that devastated the Northern Rivers region in February, Fanning, a three-time world champion surfer, was pictured ferrying stranded locals to safety on his jetski.

He said after seeing the damage caused by the flooding he wanted to do more to help the region.

“During the days following the floods I was chatting to my friend Paul Gow, a former PGA player and host of Your Golf Show,” Fanning said.

“We were chatting how to try raise money for the communities of the Northern Rivers and I asked him if it was hard to do a golf day? His straight answer was if you have the right people to help it is possible, but three months was going to be tight.”

Balter Breweries jumped on to sponsor the event and celebrities have signed on to take part in the 18-hole golf course, with tickets to the event selling out within a few hours.

Surfing legends Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning have been spotted rescuing flood victims in northern NSW.

“The next step was to do an online auction for people that couldn’t make it,” Fanning said.

“Most notably Ash Barty donated one of her winning racquets from the Australian Open final – a piece that will go down in history.

“A whole lot of other people jumped on board to support as well.”

A five-night stay at Fanning’s beachfront ‘White House’ is currently sitting at $16,000 while other items include Scotty James’ winning snowboard from the X Games, UFG Fight Gloves signed by Alexander Volkanovski, a signed Steph Gilmore surfboard, and a Mad Hueys fishing adventure.

The golf day will take place at the Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club, which was also affected by the floods, with all proceeds going to GIVIT, who provide essential items for people in need.

Visit the website to donate and browse the auction items.