KEY POINTS:
Patients in recovery programmes at Starship children's hospital have electricity users to thank for a $300,000 upgrade to their therapy room.
Donations from Mercury Energy's Star Supporters Club, who make contributions to the hospital each time they pay their monthly bill, have paid for the refurbishment of the therapy unit.
Andrew Young, the chief executive of the Starship Foundation, said there was no money in the hospital's budget to improve the unit.
"Without the additional fund-raising this would never have happened, so for that we are very grateful," he said.
The walls of the room's previously drab interior have been replaced with colourful murals of Coromandel beaches and the once shut-off exterior has been opened, allowing expansive views towards the city.
The money raised was also used to buy a new computer and sound system and gym equipment. Other improvements have been made to the adjoining occupational therapy rooms.
Lee Taniwha, who broke his neck after diving into a swimming pool late last year, was at the hospital yesterday for the room's official opening.
The 14-year-old, who now has some use of his arms after he "couldn't move anything", spent seven weeks at the hospital before being transferred to the Auckland Spinal and Rehabilitation Unit.
He said the upgrade was "awesome" and "much better than before".
"Once you're in here you don't actually feel like you're in a hospital - you would think you were somewhere else, it really is beautiful. It's a bright and nice place to be."
Mr Young said providing a better environment for those having physio, occupational and speech therapy was crucial for the patients, some of whom can be in rehabilitation programmes for years.
"Learning to walk, talk and move again is such a critical part of a patient's recovery and well-being.
"They are things we all take for granted.
"I think it's really inspirational for the patients and really motivating, because a lot of the rehabilitation exercises they have to do are very arduous and demanding."
The Star Supporters Club has raised $690,000 for Starship since it was set up in 2003.
