Starlight Children's Foundation Australia

🌟✨ We’ve all heard of shooting stars… but have you heard of a running star? Starry, Starlight’s star mascot, laced up their running shoes for last month’s City2Surf. Taking on the entire 14km course, Starry ran at a remarkable 8:14/km pace to help brighten the lives of sick kids... Talk about stellar endurance! 🚀⭐ And because even stars need a little help to shine bright…. Starry was joined by 171 other Starlight fundraisers taking on the challenge to help raise money for sick kids! 👀 Matt Geraghty Keep your eyes peeled for Starry's next running adventure at the SYD Marathon...

Meet Justice 👋 One of our Starlight Express Room Volunteers! ⭐🚀 Justice knows firsthand the impact happiness can have on children experiencing hospitalisation, and wanted to volunteer with Starlight to help make children smile during their hospital stay. Justice visited the same Starlight Express Room as a child and says “it feels special to give back to a place that meant a lot to me."

💜At just 17, Jacob has faced more challenges than many of us could ever imagine. Born with a rare condition called Goldenhar syndrome —Jacob's journey has been anything but easy. While a resilient kid, Jacob has had moments where he’d say to his Mum, ‘I wish I was like other kids. Mum, why am I like this?’ ⭐ Starlight has been a beacon of light for Jacob and his family. As his mother Kylie shares, “Jacob loves coming to the children’s hospital because he loves Starlight. He never complains about having to come to hospital; he just does what he has to do- whether it's a surgery or an appointment because it means at the end of the day he gets to spend time with the Captain Starlights in the Starlight Express Room and that makes him happy.” 🎉 Jacob’s dream came true when he was granted a Starlight Wish. “If I could relive my Wish, I’d do it over and over again. It was the best day ever. Thank you very much.” Jacob says Watch Jacob’s inspiring story to see exactly why Starlight exists… because happiness matters to seriously ill children🌟🚀

This year’s Livewire Ignition theme was ‘Ignition Connect – Connect to Teens and to Team.’ 💜 Ignition is an exciting learning opportunity for our Livewire Facilitators and team members to come together to learn, reflect, and plan. Our Livewire team are responsible for bringing moments of positive distraction to young people. 💛 The team covered topics such as youth voice, discovering ways to authentically involve young people in the Livewire program, alongside skills-share workshops where facilitators showcased popular activities or techniques that engage young people. Finally, health professionals from Sydney Children's Hospitals Network joined to deliver a session on Adolescent health and development. And to stay true to the theme, there were ample moments of connection with peers. ✨ As you can see from the smiles in the photo, the team was energised and ready to continue shining brightly for young people experiencing hospitalisation right across the country!

💜 At just seven months old, Hailey was rushed to the hospital with what doctors assumed was a virus. Tests showed however that Hailey was in diabetec ketacidosis, - a potentially life-threatening complication of Type 1 Diabetes. 💛 Now 5 years old, Hailey still regularly visits the hospitals for appointments and treatments. Amid the constant fear and worry, Starlight has helped Hailey and her family cope with hospital and treatment. ⭐ “Starlight has impacted our family in so many positive ways. We know we can go to the Starlight Express Room whenever Hailey needs a break from treatment and it makes her feel special, included and happy,” dad Shane said. ⏰ Starlight is proud to be a Telethon7 Beneficiary in 2024. The countdown is on… 50 Days to Telethon! Telethon7 will be supporting Starlight, helping to brighten the lives of sick kids just like Hailey! Mark the dates in your diary – October 19 & 20

🚲 Buckle up your helmets and enjoy the ride… because the Starlight Tour de Kids challenge is on again this September. 📢 Tire-riffic news – there’s still time to sign up! ⭐ Join Starlight Ambassador, Sam Thaiday, and thousands of other Australians who will go the distance for sick kids. 💜 Register at: tourdekids.au/samthaiday 💛 If cycling (and lycra) isn't your thing but you still want to help Sam reach his fundraising goal, donate at https://lnkd.in/gz9fRKef 👀 P.s. We know these puns are a bike-tastrophe! #TourdeKids #StarlightTourdeKids #TourdeKidsChallenge #TourdeKids2024 #HappinessMatters

Starlight’s partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop is one stuffed with fun, laughter and happiness 🧸💛 The team at Build-A-Bear Workshop Australia are fundraising for Starlight again this year with their charity hearts program, helping to bring positive distraction to sick kids in hospital! Every heart counts… with all proceeds going to Starlight between 1st September – 13th October💛💜 These funds help to create experiences like this one in Starlight Express Rooms right around the country. Alia Simshauser (née Burt) Katie O'Halloran Kathryn Tohill Danica Bennett

👏 Since 2017, the team at AUSREO has been fundraising to help bring happiness to seriously ill children and their families…. Because happiness matters. The dedication of the Ausreo team has been truly inspiring. Working with their staff, customers, and suppliers over the past 8 years towards a collective goal…. to raise enough funds to bring happiness to 2,585 seriously ill children doing it tough in hospital. 🚀Their innovative fundraising efforts include a Starlight tuckshop across their various Trade Service Centres and office locations, with all proceeds going to Starlight, alongside participating in other fundraising initiatives such as Starlight Day! ⬇️ Pictured is Kristy Lowther from our NSW Partnerships team congratulating the team on achieving this milestone. Congratulations AUSREO on fostering a workplace culture dedicated to giving back…. 🙏 And thank you to your generous staff, customers, and suppliers who generously helped bring happiness to sick kids!

Happy International Dog Day! 🐶Furry friends have a special place at Starlight 🐾 From team members' precious pets making special appearances in virtual meetings, to Starlight Wishes where seriously ill children decide that a new pet would bring them the joy they need 💛⭐ To celebrate this pawsome day, we wanted to introduce you to one of our furry friends Winnie! Winnie recently dressed up as Captain Starlight on their adventure visiting seriously ill children having a rough time in hospital ⭐🚀 We think Winnie and Captain Starlight will be friends fur-ever! 🐾 We’d love to see your best dog puns in the comments below or share a photo of your precious pooch ⬇️

Reasons why you should sign up for Starlight Tour de Kids include: 💪 Helps keep you active throughout September 💜 It’s fun… and we know #HappinessMatters 🚲 Virtual riding challenge connecting you with thousands of Aussie cyclists 👀 Our new Spotify playlist is quite convincing ⭐ Help bring joy to seriously ill children in hospital We're gearing up (see what we did there 😉) to start September 1st so register for the ride that gives back at tourdekids.org.au 🚀 Matt Geraghty Erin Munson CIoF(Dip) Kristie C. Meghann McGee Kate Crimmins Lucie Malone Jess Begg Zachary Bacon Winnie Kwan