Starlight Children's Foundation
 Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting them a once-in-a-lifetime wish and by providing entertainment for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the United Kingdom. All Starlight's activities are aimed at distracting children from the pain, fear and isolation they can often feel as a result of their illness.
Neil Swan, Chief Executive of Starlight said, "We are honoured to count David Lewis of Sunseeker London, as our Vice Patron and a long-term supporter of Starlight's work. The wishes for Sam, Eden, Michael and Jack described below are just a taster of what has been achieved with Sunseeker London's support."
A Starlight wish is not just a 'nice treat' - it can help to transform the lives of seriously ill children. It is hard for a child and their family to keep positive amid so much uncertainty. A wish provides distraction and helps the sick child look forward to the future with anticipation and excitement. Seventy percent of Starlight's children make a full recovery and feedback from the parents tells the same story: more than a wish fulfilled, the Starlight wish marked a positive turning point in their child's illness.
The wishes the children choose are as varied as their imaginations from...
...Wishing to be a solider for the day
 Correctly dressed in his made-to-measure uniform, Sam couldn't believe his eyes when his 'taxi' turned up at the hotel to pick him up. There, right in the centre of York was a 62 tonne Challenger tank!
At the end of his day at the barracks riding in and on anything that moved, Regimental Sergeant Major Sam inspected the troops. Any that didn't make the grade had to double round the parade ground! After his wish, Sam and his mum wrote to Starlight saying "it was every little boy's dream come true. Thank you for the gift of a perfect day."
...Wishing to meet Father Christmas
 Meeting the real Father Christmas is beyond the dreams of many, but not for Michael who wrote to Starlight and wished for this above all else. In Lapland, Michael and his family went on a reindeer sleigh ride through the silent, snow-filled forest.
It was there that they met Father Christmas. Michael's dad said, "Michael is having his bone marrow transplant in February. It is a worrying time, but wonderful that he will now have these magical memories to look back on when he's in hospital. Thank you Starlight."
...Wishing to be a fireman
 Jack suffers from a life-threatening condition called Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula, which has caused him to stop breathing twice. The first time, Jack and his family were near a fire station and the fire crew managed to save his life. This is why Jack wants to be a fireman and wished "to go in a fire engine". Properly kitted up in a miniature fireman's uniform, Jack had an action packed day which included going for a drive in a real fire engine, with sirens wailing, and blasting water 100 feet in the air from one of London's fireboats on the Thames! Jack's mum said, "It was as if Starlight had got into Jack's dreams." You can see a short film of Jack's wish here.
In addition to supporting Starlight's work granting wishes, Sunseeker London has helped Starlight to lift the spirits of thousands of hospitalised children.
 Starlight provides entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK in the form of outings, parties, pantomimes, Starlight Fun Centres and Distraction Boxes. For many of the young children we look after, the day-to-day hospital routine of needles, tubes and drips can really take its toll. Starlight's entertainment helps them forget their illness and simply have a bit of fun.
To refer a child for a wish, to donate, or for more information, please email: sunseeker@starlight.org.uk or call 020 7262 2881 or visit www.starlight.org.uk to watch a short film from Stephen Fry about the work of the charity.
Starlight Children's Foundation
PO BOX 4267
Goring
READING
RG8 0AP
Registered charity number:296058 |
