An auction of clothing, jewelry and other goods belonging to the top contestants on the hit TV show "Super Girl" raised more than 650,000 yuan (US$80,000) for charity last night.

Li Yuchun (right), winner of the "Super Girl" TV show, displays her coat with its designer during a charity auction of clothing and jewelry belonging to the show's top contestants last night, which raised more than 650,000 yuan (US$80,000).

The sale was held on a boat cruising the Huangpu River.

A man in his 40s paid 380,000 yuan for the white overcoat and necklace Li Yuchun wore when she was named winner of the televised talent contest.

Money raised from the auction will be used to assist underprivileged university students studying in Shanghai, said Ma Zhongqi, executive deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Charity Foundation.

Altogether 13 "super girls," including the top three finishers, attended last night's auction, which attracted more than 200 bidders.

Participants not only snatched up all 19 items on sale, mostly accessories like necklaces and bracelets, but also paid 2,888 yuan for tickets to the event.

All the proceeds went to the charity foundation, according to Ma.

Before showing up at the charity party, the "Super Girl" held a concert on Thursday night at the Shanghai Stadium, which proved a big success.

More than 40,000 fans from the city, as well as from nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, took in the show.

In late September, a charity auction of tickets for the 160 best seats at the concert raised 516,500 yuan, with one seat selling for 100,000 yuan.

The money was also donated to the charity foundation.

(Shanghai Daily October 8, 2005)