A series of TradeMe auctions for "trade name" numbers were today launched by the new communications company, with proceeds headed to children's charity KidsCan. The auction will also include 022 BUILDER and 022 COURIER.

The auctions also saw participation from doctors, lawyers, pastors and sailors.

Over the next three weeks, more than 80 new numbers would be auctioned, with first names including 022 MATTHEW; and lucky numbers like 022 888 8888 would be auctioned next week.

It was at 9am today when the first auctions opened, and just over three hours later, 022 COURIER had nine bids taking it to $100 - just ahead of 022 4SPARKY on $91 with 48 bids.

Those customers who could not be present at auction can purchase a 2degrees SIM and select a number on the company's website, following the network's launch in August.

It should be noted that impressive sums were raised via similar charity auctions, with the Dubai sale of 6666666 raising $2.75 million last year, more than the previous record of $480,000 in China for the number 8888-888.