Heroes lead the way in new storybook for Starship

31 October 2014

Heroes lead the way in new storybook for Starship

A collection of heroic tales is just what the doctor ordered as young Auckland authors have their stories published through the Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge in aid of the Starship Foundation.

“Super Sparrow and the Black Cat and Five More Heroic Tales” is the seventh storybook to be added to the Young Authors Challenge collection, with illustrations contributed by Keven Mealamu and four more talented Kiwi artists.

The six winning stories explore what it means to be a hero and were chosen out of more than 1000 entries authored by children from primary and intermediate schools across Auckland and Northland.

Supreme winner Super Sparrow and the Black Cat, written by 11-year-old Lucy Li from Tirimoana School, was illustrated by Keven and features on the cover of the book. The five other winning stories include:
• A Hero Is… by Tamsyn Hooper from Dargaville Intermediate School, illustrated by all five illustrators.
• Diamond’s Destiny by Hannah Black from Mt Hobson Middle School, illustrated by Hannah Jensen.
• Hippo Heroes by Georgia Manning from Point View Primary School, illustrated by Tracey van Lent.
• The American by Hannah Jones from Hauraki School, illustrated by Kiri Nathan.
• Captain Fearless by Phoebe Godfrey from Dargaville Intermediate School, illustrated by Dean Proudfoot.

Children’s author John Parker mentored the winners along their journey to publication through a series of workshops held to both encourage and hone the skills of the budding authors.

Rugby hero Keven Mealamu was joined by fashion designer Kiri Nathan, acclaimed artist Hannah Jensen, Wellington-based commercial illustrator Dean Proudfoot and renowned painter Tracey van Lent, in bringing the exciting stories to life.

A selection of the artwork from each illustrator contributed to raising more than $13,000 for Starship through an exciting live auction at the launch event held at Barfoot & Thompson last week.

“With the celebration of imagination at the heart of this competition, we were excited to discover what heroes the winners could introduce us to,” says Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson.

“To date the Young Authors Challenge has raised an incredible $140,000 for Starship and over 50,000 books have been given to children who spend a night in hospital. We continue to be overwhelmed by the support we receive from the Auckland community in rallying behind the competition.”

The Young Authors celebrated their heroic achievement at the launch with the illustrators, including Keven Mealamu; mentor John Parker, Silver Ferns and Mystics superstars Maria Tutaia and Anna Harrison, and Blues hooker James Parson. Peter Thompson, Brad Clark, CEO of Starship Foundation, and members of the Barfoot & Thompson executive team were also there to thank both the illustrators and the winners for their contribution to this year’s storybook.

“We’ve been so lucky to have Keven and John’s ongoing support, and were pleased to invite some new heroes to help us illustrate the book this year,” says Mr Thompson.

The past six storybooks have helped Barfoot & Thompson raise a combined $140,000 for the Starship Foundation as part of the Magic of Reading programme.

The books are sold both online and in Barfoot & Thompson branches, with additional copies of the storybook given to patients who spend a night or more in Starship.

Barfoot & Thompson knows Auckland best. It is the city’s leading real estate company, selling around one in three Auckland residential homes, significantly ahead of all other competitor brands.

The Young Authors Challenge is part of the Barfoot & Thompson Magic of Reading programme, which is fully funded by the company. It sees thousands raised for the Starship Foundation and 15,000 books put in the hands of young patients who spend the night in Starship Hospital.

Keven Mealamu is Barfoot & Thompson Ambassador to Starship. As well as being a talented rugby player, Keven is also a keen amateur artist.

About the Starship Foundation
Starship Children's Health provides world-class healthcare for more than 120,000 children each year from all over New Zealand.

The Starship Foundation is a for-social-profit organisation that is committed to raising more than $6 million annually to ensure every New Zealand family has access to world leading healthcare and experiences. Support for the Starship Foundation is an extra to Government funding and provides for initiatives such as building refurbishments, new medical technology, vital research, boosted family support, preventative programmes and staff training.

In addition, $1.5 million is needed annually to help fund the Starship National Air Ambulance Service which brings critically ill or injured children from all over the country to Starship for life-saving care.

As a charitable organisation, Starship Foundation exists through the generosity of the New Zealand public and leading organisations that lovingly donate money and/or time to assist Starship to remain at the forefront of paediatric care.

New Zealanders can support Starship kids and families by donating to the Starship Foundation online at www.starship.org.nz/foundation or by calling 09 307 4957.

ENDS

© Scoop Media