As we watch our grandkids, friends’ children, and our own young ones head into or back into the new school year, the back-to-school excitement others may experience at this time of year can be foreign to them. New school lunchboxes, shoes, and backpacks take a back seat to daily check-ups and meds.
This month, Starlight Children’s Foundation and its ongoing charity partner Battery World are working together to ensure seriously ill and hospitalised children don’t miss out on the annual New Year preparations.
Australia’s leading battery retailer has donated 1000 creative art packs, including pencils, stickers, colouring books etc to Starlight Express Rooms in children’s hospitals nationally to the value of $20,000.
“Every minute of every day, a child is admitted to hospital in Australia. In that moment, families often receive a diagnosis that turns their world upside down. Suddenly, smiles disappear, and life is filled with hospitals, doctors, needles, and pain,” says Starlight State Partnerships Manager Danica Benett.
“Instead of playing with friends and getting ready for the school year like their peers, these families yearn for activities that take their minds off their treatment and daily life in a children’s hospital ward.”
“Many of our franchise partners have children and grandchildren, and to think that they might miss out on the school experience is heartbreaking,” says Battery World General Manager, Johnny Kennedy.
“By supplying these art and craft packs, we know we will inject some light into the lives of these children at a time when their brothers and sisters or cousins may be returning to the classroom.”
For eight-year-old Avi, who was born with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a severe form of juvenile Motor Neurone Disease, Starlight has been a bright light during their darkest times in hospital.
“Starlight has taken our daughter’s mind off the hard medical procedures that she’s gone through over the last eight years, and they never fail to put a smile on her face. When things are tough, the Starlight Express Room has helped our whole family to be together to have some much-needed fun and laughter, which truly is the best medicine!”
“We recently had to stay another six hours in hospital after being discharged because Avi didn’t want to leave the Starlight room… she was having too much fun playing and getting creative with arts and crafts,” said Avi’s mum Bethan.
Not only do the art and craft packs provide a much-needed distraction for seriously ill children, but they also provide joy to their parents who walk away with a keepsake or timely reminder of the joy the little things in life can bring.
“At Starlight, we believe every child deserves a happy childhood, even when facing serious illness. Through play, creativity and social connection, we create the fun and happiness that seriously ill children and their families need to get through their toughest time,” added Ms Bennett.
“Starlight relies on the community and corporate partners like Battery World to keep our vital programs running around the country,” she noted.
Last month, Battery World’s Christmas Toy Appeal raised $12,000 for Starlight, brightening up the festive season for so many in hospitals across Australia.
You can also choose to donate to Starlight year round via their donations page and support the amazing work they do.
Robert is the founder of AustralianSenior.com.
He studied Journalism and Marketing at USC and TV Presentation at NIDA. He is passionate about advocating for seniors and presenting non-biased, fact-based news to enable those over 50 to thrive in an increasingly complicated digital world. He covers all areas of life and style, from pop culture to the economy and travel to events. If it's worth reading, it's worth writing about.
He loves to travel the globe and is a recently diagnosed, late-in-life Type One Diabetic.