Source: Radio New Zealand
The patients find it exciting to have control of the large landmark, Starship Foundation says. Facebook / Sky Tower
Rainbows, fire engines and Christmas trees are popular themes for the Sky Tower as patients at Starship Children’s Hospital take control of the colour scheme.
The children leapt at the chance to light up the landmark as part of an effort to support those spending Christmas in hospital, Starship Foundation chief executive Jo Simon told Morning Report.
“It’s so exciting when you’re a little person and you’ve got control of such a large landmark.”
She said it was a simple process for the children to make their selection and see the lights change from their beds using an iPad.
The children can see the Sky Tower from their hospital beds. Facebook / Sky Tower
“These children, particularly in the oncology and orthopaedic wards, are quite sick children, so it has to be as easy as possible.
“SkyCity has this great control iPad – the children just go on to the iPad and there’s a number of themes they can choose from to light up the tower right in front of them.”
It was the second year SkyCity had handed the control over to Starship patients, who have a front seat view of the tower from their hospital beds.
There had been a real focus on rainbows this year, along with fire engine related colours – “lights and sparkling” – and one child chose a Christmas palette, turning the 328 metre tower into the biggest Christmas tree in Auckland.
It was important to give the children a feeling of control at a time when they often feel they have none, Simon said.
Christmas colours are a favourite. Facebook / Sky Tower
“Some of these children are really sick. They’ve been through all sorts of things during the day, so having the opportunity in the evening to have a bit of fun is wonderful.”
Other festive events included ward decorating competitions, and a special delivery of more than 2500 toys gifted by donors.
“We have volunteer elves who put the toys into packs targeted at the different age groups, then Santa delivers the parcels to all the children at the hospital, bringing some magic to those that can’t see Santa in other places.”
The Foundation’s Christmas fundraising effort, the Empty Chair campaign, was symbolic of the children who can’t be home for Christmas, Simon said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
