Wellington  - The plaster cast from New Zealand Prime Minister John Keys' right arm, broken after he fell down stairs at a Chinese New Year celebration, fetched
18,500.10 New Zealand dollars (9,435 US dollars) on an online auction concluded on Sunday.

Proceeds will go to a foundation started by Australian Fred Hollows to perform basic sight-restoring eye surgery for people in developing countries.

The Trade Me auction site said it attracted a near record number of bids, topped only by people vying to buy a handbag the former captain of the national All Blacks rugby team picked up in a bar and swung to break up a scuffle.

Key's blue cast, which was signed by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd among others, was bought by Ganesh Cherian, who runs a Wellington company that makes headstones for graves, the New Zealand Press Association news agency reported. dpa