The Highlanders' ''No 1 fan'' is heading to this weekend's Super rugby final in Wellington courtesy of some goodwill.
Stephen Gibson (40) was provided with flights, accommodation and a ticket to the match against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium on Saturday by MediaWorks after it heard about the death of his mother earlier this week.
Gibson, a sporting identity in Dunedin and known colloquially as ''Stephen from Dunedin'', said he was really looking forward to the game.
''It's been a rough week for me with the passing of my dear mum and it ... said ... on the Highlanders Facebook page that they would play the game for their No 1 fan and his mum.
''But I thought with the flights being so expensive and with no accommodation ... I had to stay home and watch it ...''
''They called and told me. I got emotional,'' Gibson said.
He had high praise for the Highlanders organisation.
''Just the passion and everything and the culture they bring to the city.
''Some places don't want to know their fans but the Highlanders do.''
Gibson said he loved all the Highlanders players and it would be hard to name a favourite.
''I can't really pull one out but if I had to single one out, it would be Patrick Osborne. He gave me a shout out.''
He wanted to say a ''huge thank you'' to the organisers of the package and was looking forward to a Highlanders win and ''raspberry and coke after the game with Christian Cullen''.
The Edge national promotions manager Casey Sullivan said they started the campaign to get Gibson to the game after hearing about the death of his mother.
''He's been a regular on the show for the last 10 years.
''Obviously, he's had a hard week ...
''We put it out on air to get Stephen to the game [and were] overwhelmed by massive amounts of people texting in to offer money,'' Sullivan said.
Battery supplier Maxlife and Sara Hartigan Mortgages sponsored Gibson's flight and accommodation.
