Poirot bow tie to be auctioned for Kiwi charity

Next month a piece of British crime fiction history will be auctioned off to help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of New Zealand’s annual appeal. During the week of 20-28 February the Association will be running its 2010 Bow Tie Campaign; a highlight of which will be an auction for a ‘Poirot’ bow tie donated to the New Zealand MDA by acclaimed TV and film actor David Suchet.

The relevance of the bow tie symbol to fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy, says the Association on its website, is that “If you have ever tried to tie a bow, you’ll know that it takes a lot of skill, dexterity and perseverance. What appears to be simple is in fact, quite difficult.” The MDA believes it is an activity that readily demonstrates to people the difficulties and frustration that neuromuscular conditions can have. “We believe the bowtie symbol helps to signify this. It helps that it also looks good and is fun to wear.”

The Poirot bow tie was donated because MDA NZ Northern branch committee member Leigh Gleeson, whose son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, wrote to the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, of which David Suchet (who plays Agatha Christie’s Inspector Poirot in the television series of the same name) is vice-president. She asked for one of his ‘Poirot’ bow ties to help raise the profile of the MDA NZ campaign this year, telling the North Shore Times last year that the British actor seemed the perfect person to ask, as “Poirot must be the most famous fictitious bow tie wearer in history. He has a matching bow tie for every suit and dressing gown.”

Suchet willingly agreed to part with one of Poirot’s bow ties. The bow tie was presented to the Northern Branch’s Denise Ganley, in the presence of MDA patron and legendary Kiwi news presenter Judy Bailey and Police 10/7 host detective Inspector Graham Bell, at a special ceremony at the North Shore Policing Centre in September. “A Poirot bow tie has a lot of symbolism with it,” said Gleeson.

The iconic Poirot bow tie will be auctioned during Bow Tie Week next month; if you are interested in bidding please contact Reena at the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand.