Southern Stars Charitable Trust has dedicated itself to providing a better life for special needs and disadvantaged children in New Zealand by providing assistance through various charitable organisations.

Last year these charities included Asthma Auckland, The Burn Support Group Charitable Trust, the Epilepsy Association, Kidney Kids, Koru Care, Radio Lollipop and Ronald McDonald House Auckland.

Kidney Kids Kidney Kids is an organisation set up to meet the needs of children, and the families of children, who have kidney disorders. Kidney disorders may be present in children for a variety of reasons, yet all have the common need for a high level of parental support.

Koru Care Each year Koru Care takes two groups of terminally ill and disadvantaged children away on an overseas holiday to Los Angeles (to visit such places as Disneyland, CHIPS, Universal Studios) and the Gold Coast (Dreamworld, Movieworld, Seaworld). In some cases, this overseas holiday is the last these children will ever enjoy.

The Burn Support Group Charitable Trust 25% of all burns are to babies and small children. Children under 5 are most at risk from hot water burns because they can't tell the difference between hot and cold, except by touch.

Radio Lollipop Radio Lollipop is an international charity that provides play and entertainment in the wards of children's hospitals throughout the world, including New Zealand. Radio Lollipop play areas are now installed at Starship Children's Hospital, 'Kidz First' at Middlemore Hospital and the Manukau Super Clinic.

Ronald McDonald House Auckland Every year, thousands of families from throughout New Zealand, are faced with the trauma of coping with a child suffering from a potentially life threatening illness that requires specialist treatment at Starship Hospital. Ronald McDonald House Auckland provides a place for the family to stay together, for as long as their child is in treatment.

New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA) Down syndrome is a life-long condition that causes delays in learning and development. It cannot be cured but problems can be eased if people with Down syndrome have the right help and if other people have a positive accepting attitude. NZDSA aims to inform and support families whose lives have been changed by Down Syndrome and is an advocate for creating positive attitudes, reviewing policies, promoting rights and lobbying government agencies for support.

Epilepsy Association Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterised by recurrent, spontaneous, stereotyped seizures which may take the form of a convulsion, a blank stare, inappropriate behaviour or a change in awareness. Epilepsy affects around 2% of the population and for approximately 50% of these people, seizures will begin in childhood.

Southern Stars Charitable Trust is dedicated to assisting special needs and disadvantaged children in New Zealand. That assistance is delivered through other charitable organisations in New Zealand who are able to help children with a specific disability or disadvantage.

One of the ways that this is achieved is by choosing eligible charities to be the beneficiary of the Trust's outbound telemarketing donation programme.

Click here to find out if Southern Stars Charitable Trust could help your charity .