St Kent's challenges other schools to save lives

Sue Nash, pictured holding Sir Ray Avery's daughter Anastasia, 3, says the fundraising "is about kids helping other little kids". Photo / Greg Bowker

St Kentigern School has set the challenge to other schools to get behind fundraising for Kiwi inventor Sir Ray Avery's LifePod incubators.

Sir Ray's charity, Medicine Mondiale, launched a $2 million global fundraising appeal on October 28. The appeal aims to get the high-quality affordable baby incubators into production for Third World hospitals.

The incubators, to be made with a joint venture in India, will cost around $2000, compared with the more than $40,000 for currently available models.

St Kentigern, in Remuera, is aiming to raise $20,000, which will cover the cost of 10 incubators. The preschool, where Sir Ray's daughter Anastasia attends, is hoping to raise enough for one LifePod.

"It's about kids helping other little kids, and it is great to teach them about the importance of giving," said preschool director Sue Nash.

Sir Ray's wife, Lady Anna Avery, said the charity has raised around $130,000 so far.

"We are up to incubator 35, and we only started about 10 days ago, so it is a really good start," she said.

Ms Nash said it was a great opportunity for kids to help other kids.

The LifePods are designed to work in hostile environments. Unlike conventional incubators they are able to purify their own air and water and run for 10 years. Each LifePod has the potential to save up to 500 babies.