Autographed Dairy Queen spoon fetches $4,500

New York: Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor who's pledged to donate his fortune to worthy causes, helped raise $4,500 (Dh16,525) for charity with the sale of an oversized Dairy Queen ice-cream spoon bearing his signature.

The five-pound spoon drew 61 bids since July 21 in an internet auction that ended yesterday, according to eBay's website. Proceeds will go to the Children's Miracle Network, an organisation that raises funds for children's hospitals.

The winning bidder wasn't identified. Dairy Queen is a unit of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company Buffett built through acquisitions and stock picks.

Philanthropy

Buffett, the world's third-richest person, has promised to give 99 per cent of his fortune to charity.

He and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates are working to persuade fellow billionaires to give at least half their wealth to philanthropy.