For children in hospital, the back-to-school excitement others experience can be foreign to them, as new school lunchboxes, shoes and backpacks take a back seat to daily check-ups and medication doses.
But this month, Starlight Children’s Foundation and charity partner Battery World are working together to ensure seriously ill and hospitalised children don’t miss out on the annual preparations going back to school typically brings.
The leading battery retailer has donated 1000 creative art packs, to the value of $20,000, including pencils, stickers and colouring books to Starlight Express Rooms in children’s hospitals across the country.
“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.”
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.
Shining a light on fun and laughter
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 at Royal Darwin 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,” says Avi’s mum Bethan.
“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.”
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. Starlight relies on the community and corporate partners like Battery World to keep our vital programs running around the country,” says Bennett.
“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.”
