Shane Warne put on charity auction

Melbourne/New Delhi/Kolkata, Nov 22 : The Shane Warne Foundation (TSWF), in its endeavour to help the underpriviledged children, is auctioning an original oil painting of Shane Warne titled 'Hard Yakka'. The portrait has been created by famous former professional Australian Rules footballer Jamie Cooper.

Jamie is now a premier sporting artist based in Australia.

'The current bidding of the portrait is at over AUD $55,000 and the auction closes at midnight (Australian Eastern Standard Time)on Monday (Nov 23),'said an official release.

'The auction money will go to help seriously ill and underprivileged children,'it added.

Jamie Cooper said The Shane Warne Foundation (founded 2004) is 'uniquely placed'in the world of charity fundraising.

'It is rare that an individual has the global reach that Shane has. His exceptional sporting deeds and his down to earth nature enable him to mix with everyone from royalty to the common man on the street. That gives him the rare opportunity and ability to gain the attention of those that are able to, and would like the opportunity, to help. This gives the Foundation the potential to help children on a grand scale,'Cooper said.

The portrait is being auctioned on auction.tswf.com.au and has so far received numerous bids from across the world, including members and fans of Shane Warne and Rajasthan Royals.