The Starlight Children’s Foundation is making an urgent call for more than 5,000 volunteers to support its biggest annual fundraising day, Starlight Day on Friday 3 May.
Volunteers are needed to help raise the $1.5 million used to support the long-term wellbeing and resilience of seriously ill children and their families.
Starlight Children’s Foundation, Chief Executive, Louise Baxter said: “Our dedicated volunteers are vital for Starlight to ‘Shine On’ into the future and continue its work in communities around the country.
“Without their help raising awareness and selling merchandise in the local community we couldn’t help the thousands of families around the country who rely on Starlight’s support.”
Baxter said most volunteers loved being able to do something to transform the hospital experience and treatment for sick children and teenagers.
Starlight volunteer Deanna Mastellone agrees and urges anyone with a bit of spare time to put their hand up to help.
“I started volunteering eight years ago and knowing I am making a difference is a great feeling,” she said.
“When you feel passionately about something, you go the extra mile to create lots of smiles and help kids breathe a little easier.”
Mastellone said she first got involved when she discovered Starlight receives no government funding to run its many programs.
Funds raised go will help Starlight continue to run programs like Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Rooms, medical free havens giving sick kids an escape from the daily stress of hospital life. Livewire, the peer-to-peer support program, giving chronically ill adolescents support and Starlight’s Wish Granting program, giving seriously ill children and their families something positive to look forward to and a break from the relentless cycle of pain and trauma.
More than 5,000 volunteers are needed on Starlight Day to help collect donations and sell Starlight merchandise in shopping centres, business districts and train stations across Australia on Friday 3rd May.
Anyone able to give some time to help should go to www.starlightday.org.au or phone 1300 727 827.
