Starlight Children’s Foundation is a national children’s charity dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families.

Have your children ever been to a hospital outpatient appointment or been admitted to the ward anywhere in the UK?

If yes, then chances are they’ll have been entertained by Starlight.

Just 1 of the things they do, is provide special TV/computer games stations in the Waiting areas & on the wards.  They’re big & they’re yellow :-) They provide the hospital play teams with lots of distraction toys & goodie bags for the kids to take away. They provide children's entertainment like Christmas panto's in the hospitals.

Even our local children’s unit at Wythenshawe has been named the Starlight ward after the charity.

They've been in our lives since Blair was 2 wks old & admitted to the starlight unit.  He’d get a goodies like a starlight teddy, colouring book, or distraction toys, when he had blood tests at clinic apt’s in Leeds & we’d all watch the tv on a stalright tv console.  

Two years ago they granted his wish to fight darth Vader at the Jedi training academy at Disneyland Florida, an absolutely awesome experience for him & us as a family, creating magical memories & arranging for us to stay at Give Kids The World, an amazing village for children with life threatening illnesses. 

Last year they gave him a break from lots of hospital stays & appointments, by inviting him on starlight escapes to media city & a frozen 2 premier, both of which he absolutely loved, again making fantastic memories & where we all also made amazing new friends.

By fundraising for Starlight you’re joining an amazing community of people doing extraordinary things to transform the lives of seriously ill children.

Starlight do this through hospital play, distraction and entertainment services,  Wish granting & Starlight Escapes.  

These programmes deliver the support  and experiences that children, young people and families need to escape the routine and reality of living with a serious illness. 

Starlight now supports children with every possible illness; leukaemia and other cancers, heart disease, cystic fibrosis and other genetic conditions, as well as more routine childhood illnesses and accidents that require hospitalisation. Starlight delivers services into the heart of local communities nationwide.

Starlight wishes 

They grant personalised wishes for children who are suffering from a life-threatening or life-shortening illness. When granting a wish, they aim to restore the magic and fun of childhood and create happy memories for the whole family to share.

Starlight Wishes empower young people by giving them the opportunity to make a choice at a time when most decisions are made for them, whether it’s meeting an astronaut, getting a new computer, becoming a princess or going on a great adventure!

Hospital Services 

While healthcare professionals focus on treating illness, Starlights range of services in hospitals and hospices across the country aims to improve a child’s experience by using fun and distraction, helping children cope with procedures by focusing on something else.

Staying in hospital can be a stressful and lonely experience for children, particularly if they need to be separated from their parents for long periods of time. So, whether a child is having their tonsils removed or going through chemotherapy, they are there to minimise the stress and boredom of being in hospital.

Starlight Escapes

Throughout the year Starlight hosts a programme of special events for Starlight Wish children and children from local hospitals and hospices who are invited, with their families, to enjoy time away from treatment and appointments.

The events range in size from 50 to 1000 guests and include private film screenings, a summer fete-style party, a flying day and a boating party on the River Thames. These days out provide respite and recreation, increase social connections and help support the whole family. The impact of days like these can never be underestimated.

Every £1 makes a difference, so your help is greatly appreciated :-)

Thankyou so much for your support

Lots of love, Julie, Keith & Blair xxx