Rock Pool Trolley
About the fundraiser
Ron Frost, a 66 year old retired bus driver and heart attack survivor, may have lost his precious wee son if it were not for the love, dedication, skill and commitment of the amazing team at Starship Hospital, Auckland (New Zealand). I also could have lost my own son 16 years ago, if it weren't for the amazing work that the hospital does around-the-clock, every year, to treat sick kids. They work very hard to care for many young people and also their families, through really stressful times.
I was approached by Ron in 2017, as part of a fundraising initiative he'd begun, and we agreed I was to paint the first trolley which would then be donated to the Starship Foundation for use in the hospital. I couldn't think of a better idea than to make something for the hospitalised kids to enjoy. Also, Ron organised an auction 'for naming rights' on the trolley base to raise additional funds that the hospital can use to continue their good work.
My inspiration
I was inspired to create the 'Rock Pool' trolley after thinking about 'bringing the outdoors in'. Many kids stay in hospital for days, weeks and sometimes months. I lived at Starship Hospital for nearly 3 months when my first son was born. Kids (and the caregivers who stay with them) love to forage along the beach collecting feathers, shells and poking at crabs in beachside rock pools, so I wanted to bring that experience into the indoor play environment. My art practice often deals with notions around 'collecting', so it seemed the perfect blend of my artistic sensibilities and my desire to make something kids would enjoy. A trolley is a great tool for collecting! It was a consideration too, that whatever I painted had to look visually engaging via social media in a way that appealed to adults as well, in order to help raise funds via the online auction.
How you can help
I hope that other new Zealand artists will join in with Ron's initiative and create a few more trolley masterpieces to bring some colour and fun into the hospital environment for our sick kids. So, if you're an artist and if you would love the opportunity to paint a trolley for children to enjoy in the hospital environment, let me know and I will pass your details to Ron so you can find out more about the process.
If you aren't able to be involved in the trolley painting initiative, you could instead consider donating to the Starship Foundation: https://www.starship.org.nz/foundation/how-you-can-help/make-a-donation-now/
Ron Frost, a 66 year old retired bus driver and heart attack survivor, may have lost his precious wee son if it were not for the love, dedication, skill and commitment of the amazing team at Starship Hospital, Auckland (New Zealand). I also could have lost my own son 16 years ago, if it weren't for the amazing work that the hospital does around-the-clock, every year, to treat sick kids. They work very hard to care for many young people and also their families, through really stressful times.
I was approached by Ron in 2017, as part of a fundraising initiative he'd begun, and we agreed I was to paint the first trolley which would then be donated to the Starship Foundation for use in the hospital. I couldn't think of a better idea than to make something for the hospitalised kids to enjoy. Also, Ron organised an auction 'for naming rights' on the trolley base to raise additional funds that the hospital can use to continue their good work.
My inspiration
I was inspired to create the 'Rock Pool' trolley after thinking about 'bringing the outdoors in'. Many kids stay in hospital for days, weeks and sometimes months. I lived at Starship Hospital for nearly 3 months when my first son was born. Kids (and the caregivers who stay with them) love to forage along the beach collecting feathers, shells and poking at crabs in beachside rock pools, so I wanted to bring that experience into the indoor play environment. My art practice often deals with notions around 'collecting', so it seemed the perfect blend of my artistic sensibilities and my desire to make something kids would enjoy. A trolley is a great tool for collecting! It was a consideration too, that whatever I painted had to look visually engaging via social media in a way that appealed to adults as well, in order to help raise funds via the online auction.
How you can help
I hope that other new Zealand artists will join in with Ron's initiative and create a few more trolley masterpieces to bring some colour and fun into the hospital environment for our sick kids. So, if you're an artist and if you would love the opportunity to paint a trolley for children to enjoy in the hospital environment, let me know and I will pass your details to Ron so you can find out more about the process.
If you aren't able to be involved in the trolley painting initiative, you could instead consider donating to the Starship Foundation: https://www.starship.org.nz/foundation/how-you-can-help/make-a-donation-now/