The star of television's Xena Warrior Princess, known as a supporter of the hospital, was launching the third Starship appeal. Last year's appeal raised around $200,000.

For a few minutes, the smiling youngsters were able to forget their woes as she hugged them and chatted warmly.

Outside the cancer ward Lawless, who was accompanied by her 11-year-old daughter Daisy, was clearly emotional.

"You cannot help being affected," she said.

And indicating a tearful mother: "How can any of us know what that mother is going through?"

Among the children she met were Rochelle Jonker, of Invercargill, who previously met Kevin Sorbo, the star of Hercules.

Kimberley McLean, 13, of Glenfield, who has twice completed the Weetbix Challenge; two-year-old Jenna Ihaia, of Pukekohe; Benita Kahukura, aged nine, of Whakaki near Wairoa, were among many other children and parents who got to meet their TV heroine, at present filming a sixth series of Xena in Auckland.

"She was great," said one boy. "She looks just like on TV."

The Starship Foundation's appeal involves the sale of $3 clip-on "Starbears" which are sold through the ASB bank, The Warehouse and Starbucks.

The ASB also has a term investment appeal during June and July which it hopes will raise a minimum of $50,000 for medical research.

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