Starship Foundation issue fresh statement on donation issue

Following the backlash surrounding the Starship Foundation’s reported rejection of a substantial donation (see separate story), Starship Foundation’s CEO Aisha Daji Punga has issued a second statement to 1News to try and clarify the situation … now suggesting that it was time constraints that had torpedoed the deal and not the ‘partnership obligations’ she had referred to previously.

The joint statement from the Starship Foundation and Waikato Stud (Mark Chittick) reads:

“The Starship Foundation welcomes donations from gaming societies and the horse racing industry, and has long been the grateful beneficiary of donations of this nature. Donations are the life-blood of the Starship Foundation and every single dollar enables Starship Children’s Hospital to deliver world-class healthcare for children.

“Mark Chittick’s offer to be involved with and become the potential beneficiary of the charity component of the Golden Eagle Race, came in at 3pm and required us to make a rapid decision by close of business the same day. As with any charity, due diligence is an essential part of our responsibility to accept donations. In this instance, considerations around the size and off-shore nature of the donation regrettably could not be resolved within this timeframe.

“We are tremendously disappointed that we could not meet the deadline and become the beneficiary of this incredibly generous donation. If we had had more time, the decision may very well have been different.

“We have spoken directly to Mark this afternoon and he too is disappointed at the outcome, but acknowledges there were time pressures involved. He would have loved to be involved in the Golden Eagle with the Starship Foundation as the beneficiary and he remains a huge supporter of the incredible work the Hospital does for children and families in need,” the statement said.

“Both the Starship Foundation and Waikato Stud have a huge amount of respect for each other’s work and industries and intend to work together to build a partnership in the future.”