Children took centre stage for themselves yesterday for the launch of the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.
With Children's Commissioner Russell Wills looking on, Peterhead School performed a wero and ABC Preschoolers sang.
Fundraising got off to a quick start with raffles, a cake stall and a sausage sizzle.
The appeal raises money for medical equipment for the 10 children's wards across the country. Last year it raised $85,935 for Hawke's Bay Hospital.
Since 2007 the appeal, which runs to October 31, has raised nearly $7 million nationally. More than $400,000 of that has been allocated to the Hawke's Bay Hospital's Children's Service and related areas.