KEY POINTS:
It was all smiles for children at Auckland's Kidz First Children's Hospital, when members of the Warriors made a surprise visit.
Wairangi Koopu, Ben Matulino and Micheal Luck signed autographs and spoke to some of their excited young fans, who each received special Warriors tattoos and had their faces painted.
Five-year-old Stevie Hobson Tanner, who has suffered from nephrotic syndrome and severe atopic asthma since he was two-and-a-half years old, was among the children.
"He likes his trucks, diggers and trains - typical boys' stuff," said his mother Maureen. "He's been in and out of hospital all his life and he knows nothing else.
"Sometimes it can get really hard. You've got to learn to keep it together otherwise your child will pick it up."
She said being able to take Stevie down to visit some of the league players and have a bit of fun was a nice change for all the young patients.
"He's a happy boy and things like this - we'll always take them - get them out of their rooms," she said.
The Warriors' visit also marks the launch of the Fresh Future Campaign, a Progressive Enterprises initiative which began last year that raised more than $1 million, with $210,000 going towards the Kidz First community facility based in Clendon, South Auckland.
Wairangi Koopu, ambassador for Kidz First, said: "The fantastic fundraising activities achieved by this keen group have such a positive impact on Kidz Children's Hospital and the services it can offer."
This year's Fresh Future proceeds will go towards furnishing a paediatric bed space in Middlemore's recently opened Intensive Care Unit.
