Charity

Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia

WIGU proudly donates 10% of all proceeds to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. WIGU has chosen the Starlight Children’s Foundation because both organisations have the following aims in common:

• To encourage fantasy and make-belief in the lives of children because they are what make children reach for their dreams

“Michelle talked to Captain Starlight and they created a wonderful fantasy for Bronte – the MRI scanner was actually a rocket ship, with special breathing apparatus (the anaesthetic mask) that could take Bronte all the way to Planet Starlight! This intrigued Bronte and her tears stopped immediately.”

• To brighten the lives of children with chronic medical conditions and physical disabilities.
• To promote creativity, fun and inspiration – WIGU hopes to promote creativity, fun and inspiration in the classroom, whilst at the same time allowing students to give other children the opportunity to experience the same.

By participating in the WIGU program, children learn that giving to those in need is a rewarding experience.

Inspirational Stories*

Please take a moment to read about the inspirational stories of these children and their families who have been able to have their lives brightened by Starlight.

Sam’s Story – Nine year old Sam has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and, two years ago, had a Starlight Wish to go on his first holiday visiting Seaworld and Movieworld on the Gold Coast. Sam needed something positive to look forward to, rather than a year ago when all he was facing was another surgical procedure and another stay in hospital. Since the countdown to his wish began, he’s been a different boy. Every moment of his first holiday was met with smiles and exuberance as Sam patted the dophins, took a trip in Batman’s Batmobile, and enjoyed his first limousine ride. Two years on Sam’s mum Kate still sees how much of an impact Sam’s Starlight Wish and the Starlight Children’s Foundation has had on her little man. Kate says, “Just the other day, there were tears from Sam wishing he was ‘just a normal kid like his friends’. When I reminded him that because he was special, he was lucky enough to have a Starlight Wish granted and experience all the other fun times he has had with everyone… his face broke into a smile and he replied, ‘Yeah, you’re right mum not every kid is lucky like me!’ Thank you to all at Starlight that have enriched both our lives and still continue to allow my son to smile!”

Murray’s Story – Fourteen-year-old Murray is the youngest in his family of six, with three other members also seriously ill. Murray’s condition is life-threatening and affects his lungs and digestive system, meaning he spends much time in hospital being treated for infections, in fact 14 times over the past five years. Despite his condition, Murray is an extremely positive and upbeat teenager. His outlook on life is inspirational. ‘I’m in hospital too often but you put up with it, you deal with it. Hospital is somewhere you don’t want to be, but it’s something that has to happen and life is how it is’, commented Murray. In 2006, Murray’s Starlight Wish to meet Lleyton Hewitt was granted. ‘It was one of the best experiences you could ever have in your life, he is my idol, and my hero.’ A friendship was formed between the two. A few months ago Murray was invited to attend ‘This Is Your Life’ for Lleyton Hewitt, where he explained how Lleyton is an inspiration for him to never give up. Lleyton was so touched by this he invited Murray and his 24-yaer-old brother Geoff (who also has Cystic Fibrosis) to watch the Davis Cup in Townsville and sit on the players bench with the Australian Team. Murray tossed the coin for and was treated as a mate of Lleyton’s. Murray’s bravery and compassion always shines through. ‘For me, as a teenager, you just get to hang out with the Captains and you get to just talk to them, muck around, watch movies and play games. The other good part is people are all sad when they come in but when they go out they have got a smile on their face – I reckon that’s the best part about Starlight.’

* http://www.starlight.org.au/InspirationalStories/Pages/default.aspx