Making time for seriously ill children to play has never been needed more

Our Mission

We are the national children’s charity that exists to champion the importance of play and defend every seriously ill child’s right to it. We do this through our hospital play and distraction services, and our programme of Starlight events and experiences. We support children, families and health professionals to make moments of escape for those who need it most.

About us

Donate to Starlight

Your donation will help Starlight support seriously ill children in the UK

Frequency

One-off

Monthly

£30 £20 £10

Could help Starlight deliver a pantomime for children in hospital

Could help fund a seriously ill child’s place on a Starlight Escape

Could help towards filling a Starlight Distraction Box full of toys

£15 £10 £5

A month could help grant an unforgettable wish for a seriously ill child

A month could help us deliver Starlight Boost Boxes to more UK hospitals

A month could help fund vital research into play and distraction therapy

Amount

How you can help

However you want to support seriously ill children and their families, we’re here to make your life as easy as possible. Thinking about making a regular donation? Or taking on a fundraising challenge? Or including a gift in your will? Whatever you’ve got in mind, we’re here for you. We can only do what we do thanks to people like you.

Get involved

The Starlight Boost Boxes are fantastic for children visiting our unit. During the recent pandemic, where most toys have been removed from the waiting areas, the individual items such as crayons and colouring books have been particularly useful to give out to patients to relieve boredom.

Providing play

How we help

For over 30 years, we’ve helped children and families find hope after a child is diagnosed with a serious illness. Today, the support we offer has never been needed more; from Isolation Packs to safely provide items to distract and delight children in hospital to hosting virtual parties to entertain and keep children connected with others. It could be a bottle of bubbles or a life changing experience; but it all comes down to helping kids carry on being kids.