What is the Special Zipper?

Last July I had a vision .. a vision to improve the world. Ok .. so then I decided to back a little back on my vision, focus on Australia. Then in a reality check I thought .. hmmm .. maybe I just better see if I can make a dent in Adelaide ... and a week later "The Special Zipper" challenge commenced. See the announcement here.

Very quickly the California Heart Connection opened trading with a "Heart Hugs Teddy Bear" .. one that was sooooo cute I couldn't let Connor see it or the next trade would not occur. The "fine zipper" later to be known as "the special zipper" crossed international borders with Ted entering Australia.

Ted the Hearthugs teddy bear was then traded with Alison Byrne of Heartkids Australia who traded a Stussy supplied cap signed by Tim Campbell of Home and Away.

In the third uptrade, the cap was traded for a gold bracelet with close friends in Canberra whose niece is also a cardiac or heart kid. Unexpectantly her artificial mitral valve blocked a couple of weeks ago and required replacement. We wish everyone well at this time.

The fourth uptrade saw the gold bracelet traded for a $250 gift voucher from Karran's of Hyde Park.

The fifth trade has the voucher traded for a magnificent limited edition print containing 8 separate motion photographs of Australian legendary cricketer Dennis Lillee. Dennis signed the print especially for the challenge and has also initialed that it is from his private collection. This is a sensational piece of memorabilia and sporting history.

Then the ante was increased when the sixth trade saw a Sir Don Bradman AC Commemorative Release provided.

The challenge is now for a seventh trade to move the challenge toward the $10000 mark forward.

To monitor trading just keep an eye on the thumbnails at the top of the blog which links to the trading activity.

During the challenge the lightbulb clicked and I realised that I needed to start accumulating funds now rather than the superannunuation or shares approach where there is an asset but no immediate benefit. So late last year I came up with the idea of auctioning items whilst the uptrade continued.

The Wiggles were first to supply a signed Wiggles poster and the Adelaide Crows Australian Football League team followed by donating a 2007 Signed Jumper. Further items are being sought so if you know of a business that may be receptive to donating a good or service for a mention on this globally linked blog, then leave a comment or email me at The Special Zipper

All funds raised from auctions and the final uptraded item are being and will be donated to Heartkids Australia who are administering an account specifically for South Australian families who are required to travel to Melbourne with their children for cardiac surgery

Whilst I have reached the $1500 (Sep 2007) mark with fundraising and potentially have another over $1500 in the Sir Don Bradman AC Commemorative Release, I am disappointed that I do not have more time and energy to reach and exceed the $10000 in a more timely manner.