Wednesday 6 March

Corporate Cabs helps kids in need take time out

Deserving children from four Auckland charities will be driven in style and comfort to Auckland Airport on Sunday, 10 March for an exciting airside adventure thanks to the generosity of 25 Corporate Cabs owner-drivers.

The drivers and other Corporate Cabs volunteers are collectively donating 150 hours (25 drivers x 6 hours + other volunteers) of time to the 25 children from Ronald McDonald House Auckland, Kidney Kids, Cure Kids and Kidz First.

The drivers, who thought up the initiative and are organising the day, will pick the children and their family members and caregivers up from all corners of Auckland and drive them to Auckland Museum; before heading in convoy to the airport.

Auckland Airport has kindly supported the event by coordinating a once in a lifetime experience including a Powhiri welcome, a tour of the Airport Fire Station featuring demonstrations by the Auckland Airport Emergency Services Team, followed by a presentation from Aviation Security Service.

Corporate Cabs owner-driver, Noel Knight, says many of the children are bravely battling serious illnesses that affect them and also impact their families and those close to them.

“This is an opportunity for us to provide them with a unique and enjoyable experience that we hope helps them forget their sickness and pain, even if just for a short time.

“Many of the drivers volunteering their time have children and grandchildren and together we felt this was something small we could do to help out these families in need,” says Noel. “Last time we organised a similar event two years ago, it touched many of us deeply and it wasn’t hard to convince everyone to take part in another great Corporate Cabs initiative benefiting kids in need.”

Noel says the children were nominated by the four organisations, which all work to make children’s lives better.

Community Relations Manager for Auckland Airport, Katie Moore, says the Airport is honoured to be involved in such a special event. “We are always looking for opportunities to support our local community and so we are delighted to be hosting the Kids Day Out. After being approached by Corporate Cabs to host the day, we have been very focused on ensuring we make this day as fantastic as possible for the children. We are very much looking forward to seeing the kids enjoy all the fun events we have lined up for them!”

The children will each receive goodie bags and lunch supplied by Auckland Airport and caps from Corporate Cabs.

About the organisations which nominated children:

· Cure Kids funds innovative, results-driven research into all childhood diseases which affect New Zealand children and their families.

“Cure Kids is grateful to Corporate Cabs for treating our ambassadors to such a wonderful day. Cure Kids is unique in that it funds medical research in to children's life-threatening illnesses. So we really appreciate the support companies give us to make them feel special, while we can direct our funds into finding the cures these kids need.” Vicki Lee, Cure Kids CEO.

· Kidz First Children’s Hospital is an 82-bed unit within Middlemore Hospital.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience for many of our children. We know this day will bring smiles to the faces of our children and perhaps inspire a new career dream. Thank you Corporate Cabs and Auckland Airport for providing this fun day out.” Marlene Stratton, Service Manager, Kidz First Children’s Hospital.

· Ronald McDonald House Auckland is a ‘home away from home’ for families from all over New Zealand whose children require potentially lifesaving treatment.

“Being far from home with a child needing specialist medical treatment is never easy. So here at Ronald McDonald House Auckland we provide more than just a place to sleep, ensuring that the 80 families with us each night are better placed to get through their medical journey. Key to this is being able to spend time away from the hospital campus and with the help of our friends Corporate Cabs we can offer families an opportunity to put aside their worries and have a day to remember at the Auckland Airport Fun Day. Despite everything that our families may be going through we know that having time to simply focus on having fun will bring a great deal of comfort to children and adults alike and provide a welcomed distraction. We have a House full of excited children who cannot wait for the Fun Day so thank you Corporate Cabs for bringing a smile to their faces!” Wayne Howett, Ronald McDonald House Auckland Chief Executive.

· Kidney Kids is a group of New Zealand parents and children, who are dealing with kidney issues.

“Kidney Kids of New Zealand and our families have been privileged to be invited to take part in the Corporate Cabs Airport Experience for 2013. It means a lot to our children who suffer from kidney disease or renal failure to have the opportunity to attend and experience an event as unique and special as the Corporate Cabs Fun Day Out. Our children, who spend so much of their life waiting for a chance to lead normal lives, are offered a chance to ‘enjoy the moment’ in a safe and secure environment.” Keith Mackenzie, Kidney Kids Acting Chief Executive.

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