Look To The Stars News: All Blacks

New Zealand Rugby Star Illustrates Children's Book

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Rugby hero and All Black Keven Mealamu has teamed with creative kids from Room 22 at Colwill School in West Auckland, New Zealand, for a new children’s book as part of Barfoot & Thompson’s Magic of Reading program.

Earlier this year, kids from the school came up with a creative concept for a children’s book and entered a contest to have their story work-shopped with children’s writer John Parker and illustrated by Keven Mealamu.

‘Room 22 and Jumbo, the Monster Caterpillar,’ is a colorful 32-page book which sells for just $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Starship Foundation.

Keven Mealamu, who is Barfoot & Thompson’s Magic of Reading Ambassador, admits to being a bit nervous at first.

“I’ve never illustrated a book before and had no idea what story concept the winning class would come up with – I was hoping for something that was easy to draw! The story of Jumbo the caterpillar has been great fun to illustrate.”

Barfoot & Thompson fully funded the publication and is donating copies to the Starship Hospital who provide each child who is admitted with their own book to read and take home with them. B&T Managing Director Peter Thompson says, “We’re thrilled that more than 70 schools from across Auckland and Northland entered our inaugural storybook competition – and we’re so pleased with the result that we’re planning to make it an annual event.”

Several of Mealamu’s original artworks used in the production of the book have been framed and are up for auction on Trade Me along with 20 signed copies of the book- all auction proceeds also go to the Starship Foundation.

More info can be found here.

David Beckham Hits New Zealand For Kids And Animals

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

David Beckham was in Auckland, New Zealand, last week for several charity events.

First up was a benefit gala for KidsCan, a charity dedicated to meeting the basic physical needs of financially disadvantaged children, leveling the playing field for them so they have the chance to reach their full potential.

Beckham was joined at the gala – held last Thursday, December 4 – by members of New Zealand’s All Blacks, the national rugby team and patrons of the charity, as well as Hollywood star Martin Henderson, who was born in New Zealand.

The evening featured an auction in which Beckham paid $9,000 for a print of Barack Obama, only to donate back to the auction to raise even more cash.

Next on the agenda was a soccer match between his team, LA Galaxy, and the Oceania All Stars to benefit the New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Saturday, December 6.

The game – won by the LA Galaxy – was preceeded by an exhibition match between New Zealand celebrities, such as Dai Henwood, Jason Gunn, and Monty Betham. The warm-up match benefited New Zealand-based charities such as KidsCan and Find Your Field of Dreams, a new charity set up by athlete John Walker to make a positive impact the lives of young people in South Auckland by providing them with opportunities to live healthy, active lifestyles and pursue a positive pathway through sport and recreation.

“Our passion is to produce fit, healthy and active young people who make positive choices and dare to pursue their dreams,” said Walker, the first person to run a mile in under 3 minutes 50 seconds. “We want to do all we can to get our kids active and involved in sports rather than following temptations to illegal, time-wasting or unhealthy activities. To achieve that, we need the support of all sectors of the community; clubs, teams, volunteers, individuals, schools and sporting and recreation organizations.”

Beckham is also well known for his support of UNICEF.

Bob Geldof To Give Charity Talk Down Under

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Sir Bob Geldof is to be keynote speaker at a special charity evening in Auckland, New Zealand, tomorrow night, November 14.

The iconic humanitarian and rock-star will talk about “Making a Difference” at a gala dinner to benefit the Manukau Community Foundation, a New Zealand-based charity that supports projects focused on youth, English literacy, senior citizens, rape prevention and parenting programs for migrant women. He will speak candidly about working with some of the world’s most powerful figures… including some of the lighter moments he has shared with them. He will also talk on the need for change and how to make a difference at all levels including government, industry, family and the self.

The evening will be hosted by New Zealand broadcasting legend Paul Holmes, and will feature an auction hosted by former All Black Frank Bunce and a question and answer session with Geldof.

Tickets to the event – which will be held at Auckland’s SkyCity – start from $245, which includes pre-dinner cocktails, three course meal, keynote speech by Sir Bob Geldof, live music and entertainment. Seats can be booked at the Duco website.

Kiwi Stars Hold Charity Auction

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

World class rockers and sports stars from Down Under have donated items to a new online auction benefiting an organization that helps disabled and disadvantaged individuals develop their skills and abilities to contribute to their communities.

Past and present members of the All Blacks – New Zealand’s national rugby team – have stepped up to the mark with Olympic medalist Sarah Ulmer and Crowded House’s Neil Finn to take part in the auction, which is rasing money for the Gracelands Trust, an organization based in the North Island of New Zealand.

Founded and developed by Robyn Klos, the Gracelands Trust has developed from a small service supporting people in Te Awamutu to now offering programs throughout the greater Waikato region. It is based on a personal optimistic philosophy that it is possible to harness professional skills and knowledge with community resources and goodwill to provide a people-centered service, where everyone benefits.

The auction includes items such as a Finn Brothers poster signed by Neil and Tim Finn – both born in Te Awamutu – as well as an All Black jersey signed by Colin Meads, a rugby ball signed by Zinzan Brooke, and a cycling shirt signed by Sarah Ulmer.

Anybody interested in the auction – which can be accessed via TradeMe – had better be quick… it ends August 26 and 27.

New Zealand All Blacks Announce Charity Partnership

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They may have bowed out earlier than expected in last year’s World Cup, but New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks, have proved that they are still at the top of their game after two wins against England in the last two weeks, and a veritable annihilation of Ireland the week before that. And now the world famous squad – who are well known for their charity work – have announced their official charity for the next three years.

The partnership with KidsCan was announced at a special event at a South Auckland school earlier today that saw team member Ali Williams handing out raincoats to raise school attendances.

“We are really proud to have KidsCan as the official charity of the All Blacks,” said team captain Richie McCaw. “The team is keen to support organizations that help more New Zealand kids be healthy and happy.”

The charity – founded three years ago by Julie Helson and Carl Sunderland after their research project showed that wet weather gear, good shoes and a lack of food were the main factors that stopped children from attending school – replaces Save the Children as the team’s official charity. KidsCan said they hand out over 240,000 meals to low-decile New Zealand school children every year.

“The association with the All Blacks will raise the profile of KidsCan so that every household in New Zealand is aware of how significant the issue of child poverty has become,” said Helson. “There are thousands of Kiwi kids going to school cold and hungry and this has a major impact on their ability to learn. There are too many children in New Zealand who are missing out on basic needs we take for granted. For us as a charity it’s what we do – it’s about giving them a hand up.”

The charity hopes the All Blacks’ endorsement will help them expand and meet the needs of the 17,000 children on their waiting list.

Look To The Stars News: All Blacks

New Zealand Rugby Star Illustrates Children's Book

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