A children’s hospital has refused a $520,000 donation declaring it doesn’t take money linked to sport or gambling.
The Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland declined the offer from horse racing giant Mark Chittick of New Zealand‘s Waikato Stud after his champion thoroughbred I wish I win took out the $10million Gold Eagle at the races at Rosehill in Sydney.
Mr Chittick tried to donate a chunk of his winnings to the charity to in the hope it would help vulnerable sick children, however following a ‘polite’ conversation the offer was rejected.
He said the deal fell through in the lead-up to the Golden Eagle and claimed the foundation had told him it couldn’t take donations related to sport or gambling.
© Provided by Daily Mail The Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland declined the offer from horse racing giant Mark Chittick (pictured with wife Pippa) of New Zealand’s Waikato Stud after his horse I wish I won took out the $10million Gold Eagle at the races at Rosehill in Sydney
‘I couldn’t believe it, and now that is $520,000 which will never come to New Zealand and help Kiwi kids,’ Mr Chittick told the NZ Herald.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the foundation said the offer had been received at 3pm and required a rapid decision’ to be made by the end of the day.
‘As with any charity, due diligence is an essential part of our responsibility to accept donations,’ the statement read.
‘In this instance, considerations around the size and off-shore nature of the donation regrettably could not be resolved within this timeframe.
‘We are tremendously disappointed that we could not meet the deadline and become the beneficiary of this incredibly generous donation.
‘If we had had more time, the decision may well have been very different.’
© Provided by Daily Mail Mr Chittick said the deal had already fallen through in the lead-up to the Golden Eagle and claimed the foundation said it couldn’t take donations related to sport or gambling
© Provided by Daily Mail Chittick’s horse I wish I win took out the $10million Gold Eagle at the races at Rosehill in Sydney (pictured is jockey Luke Nolen celebrating with trainer Peter Moody)
The Starship Foundation and Waikato Stud said they had ‘great respect’ for each other’s work and industries and intended to work together in the future.
The foundation’s chief executive Aisha Daji Punga earlier on Wednesday confirmed the deal had fallen through after ‘careful consideration’ of the offer.
Ms Punga said it had been rejected due to ‘exisiting partnership obligations’.
‘The Starship Foundation is delighted to be the beneficiary of donations from individuals, clubs and organisations – donations which make a very real difference for children across Aotearoa New Zealand,’ Ms Punga told the NZ Herald.
‘Careful consideration is always given to Starship’s involvement in events and other initiatives where there is an intention to support it and its work.
‘In this instance, we were unable to be the nominated charity due to these considerations.’
© Provided by Daily Mail The Starship Foundation’s chief executive Aisha Daji Punga confirmed the deal had fallen through after ‘careful consideration’ of the offer (pictured, the Starship Children’s Hospital)
After discussions with trainer Peter Moody, who attended the race on Saturday, the large sum was redirected to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of NSW.
Mr Chittick said despite his disappointment at the money not going to his elected charity, it had been ‘heartwarming’ to see it go to another worthy recipient.
The foundation took to Instagram to thank the horse stud for the notable donation.
‘Holy moly our horse won the Golden Eagle! We were a selected charity to receive 10 per cent of the winnings and our horse ‘I Wish I Win’ actually won!’ the post read.
The rejection comes despite the Starship Foundation previously accepting donations from Windsor Park Stud, another thoroughbred farm in New Zealand.