Raising funds for the Starlight to help grant urgent wishes for seriously ill children this Christmas
Today, more than 43 brave and generous business executives participated in a 31-level sheer abseil down the terrifyingly tall Piccadilly Complex on Castlereagh St, Sydney in the first ever Star Jump.
This Star Jump is the first of a high-octane abseiling series being held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane CBDs from Thursday 29 November, where participants need to fundraise a minimum of $2,500 in order to take up the challenge. A number of participants have doubled or tripled their fundraising target due to the generosity of their business contacts, friends, and family.
All funds will help grant more than 152 urgent Starlight Wishes for seriously ill children this Christmas and it is hoped that the Sydney Star Jump alone will raise close to $100,000.
Anne Johnston, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Head of Marketing, said today, “We are fortunate to have many different fundraising events for Starlight. Star Jump is a unique challenge to the corporate world, and the funds raised from this amazing initiative will brighten the lives of many more seriously ill children.
“A Starlight Wish provides something for these children to look forward to when they are going through some really tough times, and it doesn’t end with the wish, once their dream is fulfilled it provides lasting memories for the whole family”.
A number of business leaders and media personalities took on their Star Jump challenge at dawn. The first participant was Cameron Williams, Channel 9 TODAY sports reporter who despite his nerves abseiled live on breakfast television, with the TODAY chopper catching all the action!
Glenn Wheeler, the acrophobic 2UE Radio announcer also did his Star Jump on live radio thanks to his listeners, who raised $10,000 in order to see him over the edge. After the experience Glenn said, “The fabulous generosity of our 2UE listeners, advertisers and good friends made it virtually impossible for me to pull out. But money talks, especially when it comes to helping sick kids, and I appreciated all the support.”
The real heroes of the event were the individuals and teams of Star Jumpers who came together on the day and supported each other through the challenge. One of these heroes was Steve Mann, CEO of Stockland Commercial and Industrial, whose daughter Emily has herself benefited from Starlight.
Every year Starlight aims to grant more than 500 special wishes for seriously ill and disabled children – these wishes become a beacon of hope for the child and family during their most challenging times. Starlight grants wishes that provide meaningful experiences and have life impacting benefits.
However, there are over 600,000 child admissions to Australian hospitals every year and currently Starlight is only able to reach ‘1 in 3’. Starlight’s aim is to reach each and every child by 2010. Its innovative programs include the Starlight Express Rooms, Starlight Express Vans, Starlight Fun Centres, Starlight Escapes and Starlight Wishgranting, brightening the lives of sick children and their families at a time when they need it most.
Star Jump will be held next in Brisbane on Tuesday 4 December followed by the highest Star Jump in Melbourne, 53-levels on Thursday 6 December. In 2008 the event will expand, and will be held in all capital cities across Australia.
To donate to Star Jump, head to www.starjump.org.au.
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Note to Editors.
Remaining Star Jump Dates
Brisbane Tuesday 4 December (19 levels) Energex House, Charlotte St.
Melbourne Thursday 6 December (53 levels) Collins Place, Collins St.
Major Sponsors:
Stockland
AMP Capital Investors
Supporting Sponsors:
Virgin Blue
Gondwana
Media Partners:
2UE
4BC
About Higher Ground Australia Inc.
Higher Ground is one of Queensland’s leading outdoor educational companies operating for over eight years. They have a strong relationship with many charities and seek to make a difference in our community. They are expanding nationally and have developed specific programs designed for corporates to maximize a company’s culture through their key asset, their people. See www.higherground.com.au.
About Starlight Children’s Foundation
Since 1988, Starlight has brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families through the delivery of innovative programs, which provide positive distraction to restore the fun, laughter and joy that serious illness takes away.
Starlight relies solely on the generosity of individuals, community groups, businesses and events like these to exist. See www.starlight.org.au
For more information, interview, images, please contact Starlight PR:
Sarah Grigg | sarah.grigg@starlight.org.au | 0412 939 669 | (02) 8425 5991
