Famous former hermit sheep Shrek turned up to Queenstown’s Mercure Resort hotel today to meet 17 special youngsters.
Pictured with Shortland Street TV actor Renato Barteolmei, the young ones – including, from left, Liam Todd, 9, Abbey Leeson, 8, and Matthew Smith, 11 – all suffer from life-threatening illnesses.
They and their caregivers have been shouted a “Ticket to Hope” adventure weekend in Queenstown by Cure Kids – which funds research into children’s life-threatening illnesses – and its sponsors.
Liam from Wellington, has a maxillary sinus tumour, Abbey, from Christchurch, is epileptic and Matthew, from Paraparaumu, near Welington, has a genetic malformation of the hand.
Through Shrek’s owner, farmer John Perriam, the 15-year-old shaggy merino – discovered in Central Otago high country six years ago – has raised more than $150,000 for Cure Kids. Perriam and Shrek are currently on a book promotional tour of the country.
