Starship on mission to refit therapy gym

James Daniels shows Lucy Lawless how he learned to walk again. Picture / Martin Sykes

James Daniels, standing out in a red, black and yellow dragon shirt, fidgeted his way through the Starship fundraising event like any 10-year-old would.

After speaking about his rehabilitation, he perched on the walking bars in the hospital's therapy gym, balancing and dangling his legs - his own right leg and his artificial left leg.

James, a bone cancer patient from Waiuku, had his left leg amputated above the knee last year after persistent infections during chemotherapy. He has also had surgery to remove a lung tumour.

His father, Brian, said two tumours still on James' lungs were tiny and might not pose a threat but he had to have regular cancer checks.

He praised therapists who were crucial to James' rehabilitation. They patiently helped him, even through black moods, when he was becoming mobile again and learning to walk using an artificial leg.

From just getting up and about, he now plays a variety of sports: volleyball, swimming, cricket and, his favourite, lunchtime soccer at Waipipi School.

"I play it using my walking sticks," said James. "Sometimes I take my leg off and play."

Mr Daniels said James was happy to talk about his artificial leg.

"We try to make life for James as normal as we can. If he wants to do something we let him do it, unless it's really dangerous."

James and one of his therapists spoke yesterday to a group gathered to announce plans to raise $300,000 for new equipment and a refit of the gym and other therapy facilities.

Mercury Energy plans to raise the money through its Star Supporters Club, in which its customers make monthly donations through their power bills. The club has financed several Starship projects since its creation in 2004.

Jerome Partington, of Jasmax architects, said the existing space was "tired, cluttered and ... feels quite institutional". To make it "a bit of an escape from hospital life", the company was planning a nature theme, possibly beach- or mountain-based.

Actor and Starship Foundation trustee Lucy Lawless launched the new fundraising project, helping some children with their exercises.

"I'm excited about our new project," she said. "I hope more people join the Star Supporters Club to help us reach this important goal."