Quake appeal apartment auctioned off

By Li Xinran  |   2008-6-12  |     ONLINE EDITION

AN APARTMENT donated by an ex-teacher for earthquake victims was sold for 4.5 million yuan (US$651,300) today at a charity auction at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

Shen Cuiying, a 61-year-old retiree, wants to use the money to build a school in worst-hit Sichuan Province.

Shen, who taught at a local high school, bought the 148-square-meter apartment in downtown Xujiahui and made a living on its rent of about 8,000 yuan a month.

"Shen was the only person to donate such an expensive item for the auction," said an official surnamed Chen with the Shanghai Auction Co Ltd. "Residents are very enthusiastic about the charity auction and have sent many items, mostly calligraphy and paintings valued from 1,000 yuan to 30,000 yuan per piece."

The charity auction began at 2:28pm on the eighth floor of the theatre with 125 items for sale. All the funds raised from the auction will be sent to quake-stricken areas through the Shanghai Charity Foundation.