Starlight Children’s Foundation

Starlight Children’s Foundation, ‘Starlight’ is an amazing charity that brightens the lives of seriously ill children and young people.

What Does Starlight Do?

Starlight brighten the lives of ill children in hospitals, hospices and in the community; funding four health play professionals, pantomimes, escape days, family breaks, distraction boxes, boost boxes, Rhino Sensory Voyager, the RockinR gaming cart and much more.

Starlight Wishes

In 2021 Starlight stopped granting wishes as they felt there were several other charities that did this a focus was required on play in hospital and the other areas they contributed to.

The wishes they granted were vastly different and only limited by a child’s imagination! From being a policeman for the day, to swimming with dolphins, to being a princess for the day. The wish to meet a singer, celebrity or TV character, to going on holiday and everything in between!

Starlight Boxes

Hospitals and hospices can request boost boxes, to help entertain or comfort children and young people. They are even available in a baby’s version for 0-3, story box for 3+, a play well box for the over 10’s and a sensory version.

The play essential box has ‘must have’ play items for in hospital.

• Ways to enable children to personalise their bed space, e.g. fairy lights
• Reward charts
• Arts and crafts

This shows that the charity has really thought about it, and are tailoring the boxes to age and disability.

Preparation boxes help medical professionals give a child further understanding of what will be happening to them.

Distraction boxes which contain fun puzzles, games and bubbles etc are also available for staff to use to try and distract a patient from a procedure.

Starlight just generally creates smiles and spread laughter!

Pantomimes

The pantomime crew tour around many hospitals, bringing great pleasure to young patients. Entertaining them and distracting them from painful and unpleasant treatments they may be going through.

Starlight Escape days

Starlight runs several escape days every year. They are days when families are given the opportunity to ‘escape’ and have some fun as a family. They normally involve a large number of activities on offer from helicopter and pony rides, face painting, cake decorating and entertainers etc at Popham or a summer party at Belmont farm.

My Starlight Wish

Starlight granted my wish in October 2013. Hence, it seemed appropriate to write this blog post when six years ago I would have been on my wish!
Starlight went above and beyond. I was deemed eligible for a wish when I was 18, however due to me being too poorly, then the death of my dear brother and the spiral fracture of my hip and femur, they kindly agreed to hold it for me until I was a bit better, and able to have my ‘wish’.

At first, when I was 18, I put down my wish as to go on a family holiday to New York. To be honest, I knew too well it was not possible as I could only sit in a powerchair for an hour, two or three times a week and travelling was extremely painful. I only travelled by blue light ambulance with strong medications. Nevertheless, I thought you were meant to put down what you wished for… So, I did! Starlight tried to see whether they could get me there, however no one would insure me!

I knew that a family holiday was what I really wanted. It had been 8.5 years since I had been on holiday and my family had been through so much too. I wanted it to be something we could enjoy doing. Together. Unfortunately, a family holiday was not going to be totally possible, as my dear brother could not be with us.
There was lots of things I really wanted to do in London. Although, I had spent many years in London, it was in hospital, so I had not actually seen London.
Starlight arranged an amazing holiday in London for my Mum, Dad and me. They hired all the medical equipment I required, arranged activities each day, at times and spread out to suit my needs.

I had a wonderful time going on a taxi tour around the sites of London, having dinner at Planet Hollywood, having a manicure and make up, going to see The Lion King at the theatre, having afternoon tea, going on the London Eye and having a personal shopping appointment in Topshop.

They were great at tailoring it to meet my needs, for example on the day I went to see The Lion King they got a mobile make up and nail artist to come to my hotel room, and do my nails and make up in bed!

My wish has provided positive memories in a time when there was little positivity and given me the strength to carry on fighting to get better.

Fundraising For Starlight Children’s Foundation

I wanted to give something back. To help them support other children and young people. In 2014 I began fundraising for Starlight. I began with making cards- which I still do, to this day. (Currently, Christmas card production is in progress!)
I started with photo cards. Taking photos of flowers, deer and scenes then adding greetings on photoshop. Then I started making handmade cards too which I personalise with people’s names. I make Birthday cards, wedding cards, baby cards, anniversary cards and Christmas cards!

I have also done several cake sales, a treasure map challenge and my #BenHannah3530 challenge to raise money for Starlight.

My two cousins, Adam and Matt, kindly did the London-Surrey prudential ride 100 in the 2019 summer for Starlight. Raising an incredible amount. 

Please feel free to order any cards if you would like to! Your support would be gratefully received.

Starlight is a wonderful charity that is making a huge difference to so many young people and their families. A charity that I am proud to support and raise awareness of.

Hannah x

You may be interested in reading: #BenHannah3530