Media information For immediate release

Date: 15 May 2009

Waikato Hospital Ahoy

Waikato Hospital's children wards may just have a new $2500 bedside entertainment unit after this weekend if the 'pirates' have anything to do with it.

The pirates, a group of fun loving people who give up four weekends a year to raise money for children's charities, have their patched eyes on Waikato Hospital this weekend (May 16-17).

From tomorrow, the pirates will travel through Huntly, Raglan, Waitomo, Otorohanga, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Taupiri, Mercer and Drury in their decorated cars and fire engines, making noise and shaking their buckets for Waikato Hospital's young patients.

The pirates have been operating for the past seven years, and have donated 15 entertainment units in hospitals throughout the Waikato, Auckland and Northern regions.

In total, the group has raised more than $50,000 for children's charities.

"We are so excited that Waikato youth will benefit from this weekend's pirate adventures," said Waikato Hospital's Child Health operations manager Hayley Goodall.

"It is selfless people like the pirates who go the extra distance, that make our patients and their families as comfortable as possible while they have to be where no one wants to be - in hospital."

Organiser Martin Searle said the benefit of the pirates' crusades are much needed cash for children's charities, but for the pirates themselves, it is the feeling of supporting a child in need, and great fun and comradeship experienced during the events.

For high resolution images contact Martin Searle 0274 856 098 and for more information about he pirates, visit www.pirates.co.nz

ENDS