New Zealand Spring cleans for Starship

A unique fundraising campaign has just kicked off, asking New Zealanders to clean up, clear out and sell off, all in support of the kids at Starship.

It’s called Starship Spring Clean, where people can sell their unwanted goods on Trade Me at www.trademe.co.nz/starship, pledging all or part of the sale proceeds to Starship Children’s Hospital.

Not only can you list your own items on Trade Me, but you can also bid on amazing experiences and items donated by celebrity and corporate supporters as well as all other items listed by the general public during the month of September.

Anyone who sells an item through Starship Spring Clean on Trade Me and donates the proceeds to Starship will be refunded the auction success fees by Trade Me.

With the full support of Trade Me, Starship Spring Clean will help everyday New Zealanders support Starship kids. It’s a win-win: while cleaning out your cupboards, you’ll also be raising money for a great cause – the major rebuild of the Level 6 Neurological and Medical Specialty Wards at Starship Children’s Hospital.

This rebuild will help improve emotional, social and survival outcomes for critically-ill and long-term patients on these wards. Conditions treated include neurological disorders, brain tumours, metabolic and genetic disorders (including Cystic Fibrosis), head trauma and suspected child abuse injuries, respiratory illness and infectious diseases.

Each year, more than 2000 young patients are admitted to Level 6. More than 100 of those patients stay for six months or more receiving treatment and medical expertise not available in any other centre in New Zealand.

More than 75% of children treated on Level 6 are from outside the Auckland City boundary, underscoring Starship’s key role as a vital local, regional and national children’s hospital.

See below for some of the great celebrity and corporate items that have been donated and visit www.trademe.co.nz/starship to get started!

STARSHIP SPRING CLEAN EXCLUSIVES!

- Lucy Lawless
Never before up for auction! Five outfits worn by Lucy in the show that made her an international superstar – Xena Warrior Princess.

- Tiki Taane
A stunning autographed Takamine Dragon guitar. “The Takamine Dragon Series Acoustic guitar is what I play live,” says Tiki. “This is an awesome guitar!” Tiki has written a special message of support on the guitar for Starship.

- Maz Quinn
International surfing champion Maz has donated one of his own surfboards which he used at the Piha National Championships. This board was decorated for fashion label A*MUSE and signed at Fashion Week in 2009 by Pamela Anderson, Maz, Lucy Lawless, Keisha Castle-Hughes and Richie Rich.

- Shane Cortese and Antonia Prebble
It took a while to get this feisty couple to agree on what to donate but we’ve got two Outrageous Fortune long-sleeved shirts signed by the two of them. Now you can be a real Westie!

- Josh Kronfeld
Not just a talented rugby player, Josh is also an amazing artist who has given us one of his very own sketches to sell.

- Shavaughn Ruakere
It was a tough choice but Shavaughn has managed to part with a beautiful pair of Michael Kors patent black ankle boots. No doubt worn by our glamorous Shavaughn on an exciting night out on the town.

- Shortland Street
Hang out with your favourite stars with a walk-on part on New Zealand’s iconic show.

- Stacey Morrison
Stacey’s giving us a chest of drawers which belonged to her husband’s ex-girlfriend. Need we say more?

- Phil Keoghan
Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan has signed this shirt: "Phil Philiminator" from his Phil rides across America campaign in May 2009 – one man, 40 days, 3,500 miles.

- Silver Ferns
Our ‘golden’ girls, the Silver Ferns, have signed a netball for us to sell.

- Simon Gillingham
Simon is an ex-Starship patient who had lifesaving brain surgery when he was just 15. Simon is donating a cricket bat signed by the 2000/2001 NSW Blues team that was given to him when he was recovering in Starship.

- ASB
What isn’t this fabulous Five Star Sponsor giving us? We’ve got packages to the ASB Tennis Classic finals, Zookeeper and Coastguard experiences and exclusive rugby packages. You’ll have to check out www.trademe.co.nz/starship for all their listings.

- Air New Zealand
Get away from it all with both domestic flights as well as international flights to Asia on offer.

- Fujitsu
Sick of this wet and cold winter? Keep your home at the perfect temperature year-round. Fujitsu will install a heat pump that’s just right for your house to the value of $3,500.

- Hoyts
A Hoyts Gold Card for one full year to keep the whole family entertained. They’ve also thrown in some Twilight merchandise to keep those teenagers happy!

- Hasbro
We’ve got a limited edition gold Transformer – one of only 88 ever made in the world. This version of Optimus Prime comes with his own display case and certificate of authenticity.

- Heinz Wattie’s
Give this one to the dogs – we’ve got a year’s supply of Champ and Nutri+Plus dog food for your best friend.

- Playstation MOVE - New Zealand First! Exclusive to Starship
Playstation has very generously given us a brand new PlayStation 3 console, Move Starter pack and games. Be the winner of this auction and you'll be the owner of the very first PlayStation MOVE motion controller in New Zealand - not officially released until 16th September!

- Greenacres / Hire a Hubby
$500 worth of services to tidy your garden or home this summer. Clean out for Starship then have someone else clean up for you!

- Friendly Washing Machine
You’ve heard of the Scary Washing Machine. Well we’ve got a washing machine being illustrated by the Cut Collective which we think will be the friendliest washing machine ever!

- Scholastics
Keep the kids entertained when the weather’s bad with $200 worth of children’s books.

- Air New Zealand Cup Jersey
An official blue and white Auckland Rugby jersey, signed by the 2009 team.

- Tim White Photography
Impress your guests with "True North" - a beautiful book of shots from Northland from top photographer Tim White.

- Ballastics
A 42" Freemotion Wake Skate board from Ballistics.

During September Spring Clean, Starship will have other ways to donate - via its website, or dial 0900 STARSHIP to instantly donate $20 or text STAR to 469 to donate $3.

You can also follow the Starship Spring Clean on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/starshipfoundation