The chance to hang out with international pop-sensation Taylor Swift is something 13-year-old Sahara Adams won't forget in a hurry.

The cancer patient got the opportunity through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also got to see the star perform in Melbourne.

"She was really nice and friendly. I went backstage and she signed my guitar and songbook. She mentioned some of the best and worst parts of being famous."

Make-A-Wish is a charitable organisation that makes dreams come true for youngsters with life-threatening conditions. It has just received a $25,000 chunk of proceeds raised through the annual Ports of Auckland Round the Bays event.

The fun run is partly sponsored by Fairfax Media, parent company of Suburban Newspapers - publisher of the North Shore Times.

Sahara was the official race starter at this year's 40th anniversary event which was attended by 70,000 registered runners.

Her mother Sandra is thrilled to see Make-A-Wish among charities benefiting from the day.

She says it has made a big difference to her girl whose sickness means life does not run smoothly.

Suburban Newspapers general manager David Penny is equally pleased to see his company backing such a worthy cause.

"We do a lot of work in the community. Anything for children is quite successful. I'm looking forward to the next Ports of Auckland Round the Bays event."

Ports of Auckland chief financial officer Wayne Thompson says it's great to see 70,000 people come together for such a big event.

Make-A-Wish chairman David Tommas says this is the 27th year the organisation has been operating in New Zealand.

"We've gone from granting three wishes in 1986 to 200 today."

Proceeds from the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays have also gone to Kidz First children's hospital, The Garden to Table Trust, Child Cancer Foundation and Fairfax First Books.

- © Fairfax NZ News