As proud five star sponsors of the Starship Foundation, Barfoot & Thompson has contributed to the welfare of kids in Starship ever since 2004.

Being a five star sponsor means we get the opportunity to run great projects like the Magic of Reading, where we give a storybook to every child who stays overnight in the hospital.

In 2008, Barfoot & Thompson decided to give the wider community the chance to be involved in the Magic of Reading. We created the storybook competition and invited schools from all over Auckland and Northland to submit an idea for a children’s book.

Room 15 at Waiau Pa School won the 2010 competition with their Paul and the Permanent Propelling Pencil entry. Their prize was to work with renowned author John Parker to fine tune the storyline and have rugby star Keven Mealamu illustrate the book.

We now have a limited number of books that have been signed by Keven Mealamu, as well as some of his original artwork available for you to bid on. Every cent raised from these auctions goes directly to the Starship Foundation.

About Barfoot & Thompson…

Barfoot & Thompson is New Zealand's largest privately owned real estate company, still run by the Barfoot & Thompson families after more than 85 years. Our 900 + salespeople in over 65 branches sell Residential, Country & Coastal and Commercial real estate throughout Auckland and Northland and we have residential Property Managers in over 50 of our branches. To find out more about our company, go to www.barfoot.co.nz/community.

About the Starship Foundation…

The Starship Foundation raises funds so Starship Children’s Health can better care for New Zealand’s children. Donations are an extra to Government funding and provide a variety of initiatives such as new technology, vital research, boosted family support and preventative programmes. As a charitable organisation, Starship Foundation exists through the generosity of the New Zealand public who lovingly donate money and/or time to assist in making Starship a world class medical facility. Starship Children's Health cares for nearly 100,000 children from around the country each year. To find out more about the Starship Foundation, go to www.starship.org.nz