Why was 2026 your year to volunteer? 💫
For some, it’s about giving back. For others, it’s about connection, finding purpose, or simply spreading joy when it’s needed most.
This National Volunteer Week, we proudly celebrate and thank all of our incredible Starlight volunteers. Whether you’re just beginning your volunteering journey or have been by our side for years. Your time, kindness and compassion help transform hospital into a happier place for sick kids and their families every single day.
We see you. We appreciate you. And we thank you - today, and every day 💛
#NVW2026
When Zai’s parents heard the words “Your child has cancer,” their world was turned upside down.⭐💜
One night, they tucked their healthy seven‑year‑old son into bed.
The next day, they were in hospital, facing a diagnosis of a very rare and aggressive stage 4 neuroblastoma, one of the most gruelling cancers a child can endure.
Suddenly, hospital became Zai’s world. What followed was long stays, intense treatment, surgery and pain. But, through it all, Captain Starlight was there for Zai. ⭐💜
Every morning, Zai would wake up and ask for Captain Starlight.
From his hospital bed, Captain Starlight would bring joy through games, laughter and songs. When he was well enough, Zai would visit the Starlight Express Room, a place to escape hospital, play freely and feel like a kid again.
Tomorrow is Starlight Day. Today, you can help bring moments of happiness to sick kids just like Zai.
All donations made today will be DOUBLED - visit the link in bio to double your impact this Starlight Day. ⭐💜
At just two years old, Georgie was diagnosed with leukaemia. What followed were 11 long months spent in hospital, away from home, her twin sister and her big brothers.
During those difficult days, Georgie was kept company by a Golden Retriever therapy dog. It quickly became clear that dogs brought Georgie a sense of calm whilst in hospital and after recently losing their beloved family dog, that gentle companionship meant everything. 💜
So when Georgie received her Starlight wish, there was no hesitation. She dreamed of having her very own puppy. 🐶
Georgie was given the special job of choosing from a playful litter of puppies, and her mum shared that she knew instantly which one was hers. With a big smile, Georgie named her new best friend Sadie.
Already in her first few weeks, Sadie has brought healing and hope back into the family, a reminder that even after the toughest chapters, something wonderfully good can grow.
For Georgie, Sadie truly is the greatest wish of all. 💜
For Mums caring for seriously ill children, time to pause sits at the very bottom of the priority list. 💜
This Mother’s Day, we brought the pause and the pampering to them, right in hospital. 💫
We hosted a special morning tea in the Starlight Express Room, complete with tea, scones and our very own Muffin Break Starlight muffins.
The beautiful team from @corporatemassagestars treated mums to relaxing massages, while @kiarnastraussmua was on hand for quick makeovers. Each mum received a fresh rose from @tulipanna_flowers , and Mums and kids spent special time arranging flowers together thanks to @theyardandco .
Every Mum also left with a tote bag filled with a thoughtfully curated self‑care pack, our way of saying thank you to the Mums who do it all, often without rest or recognition.
This was our way of shining a light on the incredible Mothers, Grandmothers and motherly figures whose lives have been turned upside down by their child’s illness. We see your strength, even in the hardest moments.
It was a small pause, but a deeply meaningful one. 💫
Special thanks to @darrelllea , @ssaint.official , @laprairie , @koalaeco , @wrinklesschminkles for generously providing donations for our gift bags.
When Zai was just seven years old, hospital became his world. 💜
After being diagnosed with a very rare stage 4 neuroblastoma, his days were filled with intense treatment, gruelling surgeries, long hospital stays and time away from family, friends and childhood.
But there was one thing that could instantly lift his spirits.
Every morning, as soon as Zai woke up, he would ask for Captain Starlight ⭐💜
Their visits brought fun, laughter and light into his hospital room, helping Zai cope with the pain, isolation and uncertainty that came with treatment.
From playing games from his bed and tuning into the daily quiz on Starlight TV, to spending time in the Starlight Express Room when he was well enough, those moments helped Zai feel like a kid again.
The joy reached far beyond Zai. His parents found themselves laughing even on the hardest days, and his siblings loved visiting the Starlight Express Room so they could play together and create happy memories as a family. ⭐💜
May 19 is Starlight Day. Help us bring happiness to kids just like Zai by showing your support for Starlight. Donate today and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar (link in bio).
💜 Today, we celebrate International Nurses Day. 💜
To the incredible nurses and health care providers who care, comfort and advocate for seriously ill children and their families, thank you. Your compassion, makes the hardest days lighter, and your presence brings reassurance when it’s needed most. We are so grateful for everything you do, every shift, every day and honoured to work alongside you . ⭐
#InternationalNursesDay #ProjectHappy
Every day, we help bring moments of happiness to hospital. ⭐💜Starlight Day is a chance to celebrate just how much that happiness matters to seriously ill children.
With Starlight Day just around the corner, we’ve been reminiscing about the joy it brought to the Starlight Express Room last year - filled with special visitors, activities, performances, crafts, games and even a Starlight piñata! ⭐💜
On Tuesday, 19 May, Starlight Express Rooms across the country will light up to celebrate sick kids and the impact you help create in hospital every single day.
From today you can double your impact, with every dollar donated to Starlight matched, thanks to our generous matched giving partners @spotlightstores and Northern Star Resources. ⭐💜
Head to the link in bio to donate.
From just two days old, Claudette’s life has been shaped by hospital. 💜
Now not even four, she has already undergone 12 procedures for Primary Cilary Dyskinesia (PCD), a very rare lung condition experienced by just 1 in 15,000 people.
“Those first weeks were incredibly hard,” her mum Melissa says. “We just tried to stay positive.”
It was during those early days in ICU, when Claudette was just five weeks old, that Captain Starlight first showed up.
“I still remember them singing to her,” Melissa recalls.
Since then, Captain Starlight has been there through most of Claudette’s life. Visiting her bedside, helping her through the hard moments and bringing laughter. When Claudette can’t leave her hospital bed, she still gets to connect, watching Starlight TV, where songs, stories and friendly faces help pass the time.
She loves craft, painting and imaginative play, and the Starlight Express Room is where she gets to keep doing the things she loves most. Knowing Starlight will be there every time Claudette returns to hospital brings comfort to the whole family.
“For a child to laugh and play is so important,” Melissa says. “The Starlight Express Room helps distract from the fear.”
For Claudette, those moments of joy make hospital feel a little less frightening and a lot more like childhood. ⭐💜
Bryce is the definition of brave. 💛
Once a carefree, active kid, Bryce’s world changed overnight with a devastating Aplastic Anemia diagnosis. His adventurous childhood was replaced with hospital visits, appointments and a life‑saving bone marrow transplant.
Fast forward to today, and Bryce is back doing what he loves… with a brand‑new passion for dirt bikes! 🏍️
So when Bryce was granted his Starlight Wish, the dream was clear - to have his very own Kawasaki KLX110L bike and to learn from a real motocross champion.
Brad West, Empire Kawasaki Motocross Champion, jumped in without hesitation, joined by incredible support from @kawasakimotors_au and @caloundramotorcyclecentre , who decked Bryce’s bike out with custom stickers. @sercomotorsport and @sppgraphics then kitted Bryce up in his very own custom riding gear. Let’s just say… he looked like a pro before even hopping on.
Then came the BIG moment. Brad personally delivered the bike and spent the morning helping Bryce master the basics. Before long, Bryce was shifting gears with confidence and smiling from ear to ear. One look said it all:
🏁 Wish. Come. True. 🏁
Watch out @bradwest100 , there’s a new dirt bike legend in the making. 💫
Not all heroes wear capes, but these ones do. ⭐💜
With a few simple materials and Captain Starlight leading the way, children were invited to imagine who they are when they get to be the hero.
🦸♂️ What are my powers?
🦸♂️ What’s my mission?
🦸♂️ What's my catchphrase?
Brown paper, pillowcases, markers and stars quickly transformed into bold, colourful capes - each one a symbol of strength, imagination and self‑belief. ⭐💜
As the capes came together, so did the energy in the room. There was laughter, focus and proud smiles as children stepped into their creations. Every cape told a different story, helping kids see themselves not through the lens of illness, but as capable, creative and courageous heroes.
Swipe to see the heroes and their incredible capes 👉 🦸♂️✨
We are partnering once again with the Starlight Children's Foundation @starlightau to grant over 100 life-changing wishes for seriously ill children in hospitals all across Australia!⭐
Help make a difference by donating at the checkout next time you visit a Spotlight store, or donate online via the link in our bio!
#SpotlightStores #ItsWhatYouMakeIt #Starlight
Day 1 starts now. Step up for sick kids.
This May, Super Steppers across Australia are walking 10,000 steps a day. Early mornings. Lunchtime laps. After-dinner walks. Simple steps. Real impact.
Every dollar raised helps Starlight bring laughter, distraction and connection to seriously ill children and their families - reminding them they're not alone.
Day 1 is today. Take your first 10,000 steps.
👉 Link in bio to join Super Steps.
