12 Days of Christmas: Kidney Kids

Kidney Kids chief executive Paul Norfolk with Kee Wee, the charity's mascot. Photo / Steven McNicholl.

This Christmas the Herald is again featuring charities that have been selected for a $10,000 donation from Auckland Airport.

A grand party this Christmas and another to welcome the New Year are being planned for members of the children's charity Kidney Kids.

The organisation is the fourth to be profiled in this year's 12 Days of Christmas series, in association with Auckland Airport.

Kidney Kids chief executive Paul Norfolk says the $10,000 grant will go towards two celebrations for the hundreds of children with kidney disease - and their families.

"When your child is diagnosed with a kidney disease, most [families] come to Auckland - that's where the treatment is," Mr Norfolk said.

"Some families have to move their whole life here. The families are kind of traumatised to have a kid with kidney disease."

Children of all ages, from babies to 21-year-old students, are members of Kidney Kids.

More than 500 families with a kidney disease-affected child are in Auckland.

Many are members of the charity, which is the only renal organisation in the country dedicated to helping children with a kidney disease.

As well as the two celebrations funded by the Auckland Airport grant, Kidney Kids is staging several parties next year, including a 21st birthday party.

Various activities and entertainment are planned, including one featuring a band that does impressions of pop stars such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

The parties are a highlight not only for the children directly involved with kidney disease, but also their parents and families, says Mr Norfolk.

They also provide a sense of normality in what can be a busy and stressful life for many families affected by kidney disease.

"At times, a lot of them are on chemo. They have to be on these big machines for eight hours, and they find it difficult to go to school and do what all their other friends are doing.

"Their life is kind of taken away from them when they have a kidney disease."

Mr Norfolk thanked Auckland Airport for the 12 Days of Christmas scheme.

"This means so much to us."

It would help to make the children's lives as good as possible.