The Starlight Children's Foundation
AMF Bowling is proud to provide ongoing support to The Starlight Children's Foundation. Thank you to everyone who helped support Starlight Day, by purchasing Starlight Day merchandise during May at AMF Bowling centres nationally.
As part of our partnership with The Starlight Children's Foundation, AMF Bowling Centres host Family Escape Days in each state for 50 people. Starlight Escapes offers families a break from the stress of a child's illness, and provides the families with some quality fun time together away from the hospital and treatment rooms.
Kids bowled over at Starlight Escape
The AMF Bowling centre in Knox, Melbourne, hosted seriously ill children from the Starlight Children’s Foundation on Sunday 26 July 2009. 
The day was part of the Starlight Escapes program which primarily focuses on bringing Starlight families and children together, giving them a much-needed break from the stress of living with a child’s illness.
The families of eight seriously ill children were treated to a day of tenpin bowling, with special guest Ryan Moloney, who plays the popular character of ‘Toadie’ in Neighbours, participating in the fun and games.
Parents, brothers and sisters all came along, enjoying a party-like atmosphere at the day which saw Ryan Moloney joining families for bowling, a delicious lunch and arcade games at the AMF Bowling centre.
“It was great to see all of the kids and their families here in the centre,” said Lisa Knight, Centre Manager at the AMF Bowling Centre in Knox.
“Bowling is a great way to escape for a day and it really brought the families closer together in a fun and friendly setting.”
Starlight relies on the generosity of individuals, community fundraisers and corporations like AMF Bowling to give seriously ill and hospitalised children the opportunity to access and benefit from Starlight’s programs, which help to restore the fun, laughter and joy that serious illness takes away.
“The demand for Starlight’s programs continues to grow with over 600,000 child admissions to hospitals each year around Australia. Starlight currently only reaches ‘1 in 3’ of these children and their families. Through AMF Bowling’s support Starlight will be able to give more of these children the opportunity to access and benefit from Starlight’s innovative programs,” said Kendra Overall, National Manager, Corporate Partnerships, Starlight Children’s Foundation.
ABOUT STARLIGHT
Living with illness or injury can cause enormous strain in the lives of children and their families. Physical recovery is only part of the solution. Starlight delivers programs designed to make children happy and lift their spirits when they need it most, bringing fun and laughter no matter what their illness.
Since 1988, Starlight has been providing services to help seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families, throughout Australia. Starlight programs are delivered both in and out of hospital, providing positive distraction to children in their time of need.
Each year there are over 600,000 child admissions made to hospitals across Australia. Sadly, Starlight reaches only ‘1 in 3’ of these children. Starlight’s ultimate goal is to reach each and every child.
"Looking after a child with a chronic or life threatening illness requires a comprehensive ‘total’ approach to care, a healing environment that includes entertainment, diversion, fun, laughter and joy. Starlight is a key partner in providing these aspects of care.” Professor Les White, Executive Director, The Sydney Children’s Hospital
To see the impact of Starlight on the lives of some very special children, click here.
