Look To The Stars News: Starship Foundation

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.

Lucy Lawless, The Warrior Bed-Making Champion

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It may not be exactly what you would expect from a warrior princess, but Xena star Lucy Lawless took part in a charity bed making competition for a children’s hospital last week.

The star was in her native New Zealand to raise money for the Starship Foundation, the fundraising branch of New Zealand’s biggest pediatric hospital, the Starship Children’s Hospital. The 40-year-old raced against the clock in front of hospital staff and patients in the contest to see who could make the neatest bed in 2 minutes. The contest was judged by Starship Foundation Vice Chair Rosie Horton and past oncology patient Ruby Seeto, with Lawless coming first equal with the CEO of Lorraine Lea Linen – who was at the event to make a $115,000 donation to the Starship Oncology Rebuild project.

“The donation from Lorraine Lea Linen is a great way to acknowledge this huge contribution to our cause,” said Starship Foundation CEO Andrew Young. “We’re so grateful that even our Australian counterparts are getting on board for this worthy project.”

The new oncology ward will provide eight single inpatient rooms for pre-teen patients who need the space to recover away from much younger patients.

Tiger Woods' Caddy Digs Deep For Charity

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tiger Woods’ philanthropism has rubbed off on those closest to him – his caddy has just donated US$610,000 to a charity in New Zealand.

Steve Williams – who was born in New Zealand and has been Woods’ regular caddy since 1999 – donated the cash to the Starship Foundation in Auckland to go towards a new US$3 million cancer ward being built in the Starship Children’s Hospital, the country’s largest facility for sick kids.

The hospital treats nearly 70 percent of child cancer patients in the country but hospital authorities say the medical facilities are well below standard. Williams and his wife, Kirsty, spent a day at the hospital last year meeting many families in the cancer ward, and felt a donation was needed.

“It was impossible not to get emotional,” said the 44-year-old. “I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a child diagnosed with cancer and then have to go through the long treatment process.”

Williams donated the cash from his Steve Williams Foundation which traditionally supports junior golf projects.

Look To The Stars News: Starship Foundation

New Zealand Rugby Star Illustrates Children's Book

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