Graeme Hart and family donate $6.5 million to Starship's intensive ...
RICKY WILSON/Stuff
New Zealand’s wealthiest person Graeme Harts is a long-term supporter of the hospital.
Graeme Hart and his family have donated $6.5 million to help increase capacity at Starship Hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit.
Billionaire Hart, New Zealand’s wealthiest person, and wife Robyn donated the funds to support the expansion of the unit at the Auckland hospital.
It is one of the largest single private donations to Starship since the hospital opened.
The Starship Foundation said the money would be spent on equipment, more comfortable and nurturing environments for whānau, and supporting the education and training of highly specialised staff.
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The Harts are long-term supporters of the hospital, and their daughter Gretchen Hawkesby has been on the Starship Foundation Board for more than 12 years.
Starship Foundation trustee Mike Shepherd thanked the family for their “extraordinary generosity and support”.
“The family’s donation will improve the lives of countless children and their whānau, and will help us provide world-class treatment, care and facilities for the very sickest of our nation's children.”
LAWRENCE SMITH/STUFF
Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland is trying to raise $15 million to complete its 10-bed extension to PICU, the children’s intensive care unit. Video first published in April, 2021.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Starship’s paediatric intensive care unit had 22 beds and was frequently at capacity.
Te Whatu Ora Director of Starship Services Dr John Beca said an additional 10 beds would allow them to care for more children who become critically ill or need support after major surgery.
“This donation should be celebrated across all of New Zealand.”
The Government has contributed $25 million towards the expansion project, with another $23m coming from the Starship Foundation.
