Italians charm cancer kids

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Prada's 17th man, Guidi Renzo, was back on the water yesterday spreading a little more magic - this time with children from the Child Cancer Foundation.

Renzo, regarded as a lucky charm by the Italian America's Cup challengers, and Prada shore team member Tognozzi Gianni gave the youngsters and their families a Cup buzz in a leisurely trip on the Southern Spirit ketch around the Viaduct Basin and Waitemata Harbour.

Ricoh New Zealand managing director Michael Pollok had donated one of his company's chartered days on the ketch to the foundation so that the children could experience the excitement of the Cup.

"These kids are facing their own huge challenge every day," he said. "It's nice for them to have something else to focus on, something as positive as Team New Zealand's challenge for the America's Cup."

Gianni said it was an honour that he and Renzo had been asked to join the children.

"We've been so amazed by the warm welcome we've received here in New Zealand that it's a pleasure to be able to accept this kind of invitation."

But Gianni did not expect the children to ask him for any sailing tips.

"They don't need us to suggest anything. The kids have such good masters here in New Zealand."

Shiran Jayawant, whose 12-year-old son, Varun, battled leukaemia, said her son and his brothers had been thrilled to have Prada crew on board.

"For children with cancer their lives revolve around home and hospital. They lose contact with their friends so a trip like this becomes so important to them," Mrs Jayawant said.

Foundation family support coordinator Kathy Bublitz said the opportunity for families to spend time together was important.

"Often the focus is just on the sick child, but the impact [of cancer] is on the whole family."