Starlight Children’s Foundation is urgently calling for help to raise $1.4 million to grant more than 200 life-changing Starlight Wishes for seriously ill Australian children and teenagers by Christmas.
Starlight CEO, Louise Baxter, said the wishlist is as long as it has ever been and continues to grow with wishes from sick children and their families.
Starlight child, Victoria, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour at the age of three and was granted her Starlight Wish to visit the snow for the first time with her family.
“Victoria’s wish meant the world to her and us. It gave us time together as a family and brought some light into our lives after a difficult few years. Conquering the ski slopes also gave Victoria a new confidence to face treatment when she returned to hospital.”
Wendy Robinson, Victoria’s mum
Starlight grants about 500 unique Starlight Wishes each year, including travel wishes, hero wishes, experience wishes and gift wishes, all designed to promote wellbeing and increased happiness for the child or teen and their families.
This Christmas 17 Starlight ambassadors are lending their support to the appeal, including Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, former Australian test cricketer Michael Hussey, celebrity chefs George Calombaris, Hayden Quinn, Neil Perry and MasterChef runner-up Laura Cassai, and children’s entertainers Hi-5.
Melbourne Storm NRL player Billy Slater, Port Adelaide AFL player Cam O’Shea, pro-surfer Mick Fanning and former Olympic swimmers Kieran Perkins and Libby Trickett are also joining the cause, along with television presenters David Campbell and Darryl Brohman, Neighbours star Ryan Moloney, and Home and Away stars Kassandra Clementi and Philippa Northeast.
Starlight ambassador and celebrity chef, George Calombaris, said: “The effect Starlight Wishes have on sick kids, teens and their families is truly inspiring. This Christmas, I’m asking everyone to make a donation or fundraise for Starlight to make Christmas magical for every child.”
Anyone can help fulfil Starlight Wishes by making a donation to Starlight at www.starlightwish.org.au, or forming a team with friends, family or colleagues to fundraise as a group.
Starlight’s wishgranting program supports kids and teens with a wide range of illnesses and injuries, and demand for the program continues to grow.
This Christmas, Starlight is proudly supported nationally by Woolworths, Big W and Trade Secret.
To find out how you can help fulfil Starlight Wishes this Christmas, please call 1300 727 827 or visit www.starlightwish.org.au.
