Donations to help deliver happiness to sick kids

Starlight''s Aradhya Rathod at the Royal Children''s Hospital.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation is calling on the community to support over 5000 seriously ill and hospitalised children.

With Starlight Day on 1 May, Starlight hopes that donations from people across the country will help raise $250,000 to support vital hospital services, the Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight.

Starlight CEO Louise Baxter said donations were particularly important amid the Covid-19 crisis.

“Life as we know it has been turned upside down. Now more than ever, kids in hospital need fun and joy to help them cope with the loneliness, isolation and fear they are facing,” she said.

“In these uncertain times, we need your support to continue keeping our Starlight programs and Captain Starlight services running daily.

“As little as $50 will give one child a fun Starlight Surprise pack filled with activities and games, and $80 will provide access to 48 hours of Starlight TV hosted by Captain Starlight.”

Starlight TV is an interactive show that broadcasts live into the bedsides of sick kids in hospital.

Loaded with quizzes, silly games, jokes and activities from Captain Starlight, sick kids in hospital can continue to enjoy the magic of Starlight while in isolation.

As the health situation has evolved, Starlight has worked with the hospital community to ensure it continues to deliver its programs to sick kids in need.

Through virtual play sessions, interactive livestreams on Starlight TV and daily emails filled with activities and quizzes the whole family can enjoy.

Donations need to be made before midnight on 3 May and will be double-matched by four Starlight partners including Spotlight and NAPA.

To donate, visit starlightday.org.au.