Starlight Day gives the gift of play to sick kids today
Announcement posted by Access Public Relations 02 May 2014
Event: Starlight Day
Date: Friday, 2 May 2014
What: Help Starlight Children’s Foundation support 40,000 seriously ill kids and teens
Where: Hundreds of fundraising locations around Australia - including shopping centres, train stations and CBD areas
Starlight Children’s Foundation needs your support today to raise $1.5 million to support 40,000 seriously ill children and teenagers as part of its biggest annual fundraising event, Starlight Day.
Held nationally, Starlight Day aims to raise much-needed funds to help Starlight deliver its vital hospital programs, seven days a week in every major children’s hospital in Australia.
More than 2,000 volunteers are hitting the streets today to sell Starlight merchandise and collect donations in shopping centres, central business districts and train stations. Volunteers will also host Star-BQs - Starlight’s take on the traditional Aussie BBQ.
Starlight Chief Executive Officer, Louise Baxter said: “With more than 400 children admitted to hospital every day, Starlight is there to brighten the hospital experience by replacing their fear and stress with joy and laughter.
“Anyone can help give the gift of play today, as a donation of just $39 provides one child with access to Starlight’s hospital programs.”
Starlight Day ambassadors lending their support to the campaign include former Olympic swimmers Libby Trickett OAM and Kieren Perkins AO, NRL player Billy Slater, world champion surfer Mick Fanning, celebrity chefs Hayden Quinn and Neil Perry AM, TV presenter David Campbell, TV actors Kassandra Clementi, Philippa Northeast and Ryan Moloney, and TV and radio presenter Darryl Brohman.
As part of the Starlight Day campaign, families are also invited to take part in a new fundraising initiative during May, Starlight Smile Project, to spread kindness and help raise funds for hospitalised kids.
Starlight Smile Project encourages primary-school aged children to do something special that they wouldn’t usually do, simply to make someone smile. Each time a kind act is completed, the child earns a smiley star for their star chart and their sponsors make a donation to Starlight.
Families can participate for a week, a fortnight, or an entire month and can download the Starlight Smile Project Kit at www.starlightsmileproject.org.au.
All fund raised will support Starlight’s uniquely Australian hospital programs, including Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Rooms.
To find out more or make a donation, go towww.starlightday.org.au.
-ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Shields, Access PR |sarah@accesspr.com.au | 02 9292 7007 | 0408 283 091
Emma Reyes, Access PR | emmar@accesspr.com.au | 02 9292 7006| 0424 425 813
About the Starlight Children’s Foundation
Established in Australia in 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the hospitalisation experience for seriously ill children and their families around Australia. Starlight’s innovative programs are integral to the total care of seriously ill children. While health professionals focus on treating the illness, Starlight is there to help care for the child, and support the longer term wellbeing and resilience of the child and their family. Starlight's programs supported more than 135,000 sick Australian kids in 2013. @Starlight_star