Australian retailer, Spotlight, has extended its partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation as the ‘Official Creativity Partner’ for 2024 for the third consecutive year.

This move continues a multi-year collaboration between the two entities, aimed at supporting the creativity and self-expression of sick children across Australia.

As part of the partnership, Spotlight will continue to supply art, craft, and party supplies to Starlight Express Rooms across the country. Throughout May, Spotlight will also offer customers the opportunity to donate directly to Starlight Children’s Foundation at their registers across all Australian stores, with donations ranging from $1 to $100.

In addition to this, Spotlight will support Starlight’s Wish-granting program throughout May, which provides once-in-a-lifetime experiences to sick children and their families. One such story is that of Aru, a seven-year-old girl who has been in and out of hospital since she was six months old after a life-saving heart transplant.

Spotlight Head of Marketing, Padma Palani, said, “As a trusted partner of Starlight Children’s Foundation we are privileged to partner with them and couldn’t be prouder to support such an incredible cause and entity. As the ‘Official Creativity Partner’, Spotlight is delighted to have donated to Starlight for craft, party and DIY supplies used in the Starlight Express Rooms across Australia, to continue to champion self-expression & creativity for everybody.”

Starlight CEO, Louise Baxter, expressed gratitude for Spotlight’s ongoing commitment. “Spotlight is an amazing Starlight partner helping us bring happiness to sick kids & their families when they need it the most. Supporting our hospital programs with endless arts and crafts allows seriously ill children to just be kids and enjoy the joy of childhood through imagination and creativity,” she said.

“Every donation makes a huge difference, and we’re thrilled to see Spotlight extend the opportunity to support sick kids to their customers in store. We are so thankful for Spotlight’s ongoing commitment which will help us bring so many smiles to sick kids for years to come.”

In 2023, Starlight created over 1.9 million positive Starlight experiences for children, teenagers and their families, and Captain Starlight brought fun and laughter to 120 hospitals and 134 remote communities. Starlight also granted 474 wishes in 2023, including its milestone 13,000th Starlight Wish.

Spotlight, founded in the early 1970s, operates 147 stores across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, and employs more than 7,000 people.