Free Wifi Connects Kids in Starship Children’s Hospital

Free Wifi Connects Kids in Starship Children’s Hospital

Starship Foundation and Vodafone New Zealand announce Five Star Partnership.

Young people at Starship, New Zealand’s National Children’s Hospital, will be able to use free WiFi to stay connected with friends and family thanks to a new partnership between The Starship Foundation and Vodafone New Zealand.

Vodafone is the latest organisation to become a Five Star Partner of the Foundation.

In addition to free WiFi on three levels of the hospital, the partnership will raise funds for Starship’s National Air Ambulance Service by inviting Vodafone customers to regularly donate $5, $10 or $20 through their monthly Vodafone bill.

Starship Foundation CEO Brad Clark is excited about the difference Vodafone's support will make to the New Zealand children.

“We are thrilled Vodafone and its customers will support the hospital and its National Air Ambulance Service. The service flies medical experts to life-threatening emergencies around the country and allows us to bring children safely to Starship, where they can receive the specialist care they need."

“Many of the children to make use of WiFi at the hospital will have chronic conditions, and some will be in isolation due to infectious disease or organ transplantation. Access to free WiFi will allow them to keep in touch with their friends and family when they need it most." says Mr Clark.

Vodafone New Zealand CEO Russell Stanners says the entire company is behind the Starship Foundation partnership and is looking forward to making a difference.

“We are passionate about the well-being of young New Zealanders and have a strong commitment to building better futures for Kiwi youth through the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation and our existing partnership with Parents Inc. Working more closely with the Starship Foundation will now enable us to be even more involved in improving young New Zealanders’ lives.”

Vodafone New Zealand first formed a relationship with the Starship Foundation through the Starship Mobile Phone Appeal – an ongoing campaign supported by the telecommunications industry whereby Kiwis donate unused mobile phones to Starship for recycling.

ENDS