There’s a lot going on in hospitals across the country right now. 

While our community partner, Starlight Children’s Foundation, is no stranger to working in and around the hospital environment, in recent weeks they’ve been busy adapting to new ways of working so they remain a light to patients and families during these uncertain times.

From virtual visits from Captain Starlight to children in hospital, to hospital broadcasts and providing fun activities for families at home, Starlight continues to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families.

In 2019, we donated $250,000 through Golden Casket unclaimed prize money to support Starlight’s important work. It was an incredibly successful year for Starlight as they provided more than 610,000 fantastic experiences to sick kids across Australia. 

While most kids’ lives are filled with joy, for seriously ill children this can be eclipsed by hospital visits and rigorous treatments. Starlight aims to remind children of what being a kid really feels like and re-ignite the joy of childhood.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way Starlight operates, but they have found new ways to bring happiness to children’s lives, extending their services from hospitals, to homes.

In April, Starlight provided a live stream concert of singer Timomatic from their Instagram account, they’ve also been including games and activities in their daily newsletters and established a five-day challenge designed to boost positivity. These are just a few ways Starlight has remained committed to supporting Australian families.

Starlight Queensland State Manager Tracey Tomlin said the current challenges provided an opportunity to expand their services.

“Starlight aims to provide distraction, fun and entertainment to sick kids and their families. This takes place in the hospital but now, with families staying at home, there is a chance for us to spread the Starlight sparkle beyond the hospital walls,” she said.

We are proud to support Starlight Children’s Foundation, whose team continues to do what they do best in these uncertain times. 

In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, Australia’s Official Lotteries contributed more than $1.4 billion in state lottery taxes and donations to help our community, including support for hospitals, health research, disaster relief, and education.