Alex Rathgeber

Throwback to my first experience with Starlight Children's Foundation Australia - when I was playing Tin Man in the Australian production of The Wizard of Oz in 2017, and we visited the amazing Starlight Room and several very sick kids' bedsides at Sydney Children's Hospital.

I was blown away by the Starlight team's infectious energy and their devotion to lifting the spirits of the kids. Many of those kids we spent time with that day were undergoing the most intense treatments imaginable, and we could see how vital it was to have Starlight there on hand to bring some fun and magic to their days.

If you have any good stories about how Starlight has helped a child in your life, it'd be fantastic to hear them, either in the comments below or via a private message.

I'm swimming 28km across this month in the Super Swim Challenge to help Starlight continue the great work they do for the kids... If you can spare a few dollars to support my effort, the process takes just a couple of minutes, and any amount is fantastic!

Just follow this link to my fundraising page: https://superswim.org.au/a-rathgeber

And a very big Thank You!

Alex

Last year, one of my nephews endured a serious illness across several months and hospital visits. Thankfully, after receiving excellent care and undergoing surgery, he’s come through the other side of it. However, many kids aren’t quite so lucky - they need to stay in hospital or other high-level care for lengthy periods of time, often with their families on 24/7 alert. It can be intensely challenging and scary for the child and their family.

For over 30 years, Starlight Children's Foundation Australia has supported young people through some of their toughest times. They’ve used play, social connection, and creativity to enhance and support the healthcare experience of kids with serious illnesses. They work alongside clinicians wherever they go - from the bedside in major paediatric hospitals to mobile clinics visiting remote communities across the country - bringing joy, laughter, and comfort to sick kids when they need it most.

Sick children need more than great doctors, nurses, and treatments. They need the social and emotional support that lets them be a child and helps them feel uplifted and positive, which science tells us can also give them a much better chance of overcoming their illness.

I’m taking part in this year’s the Starlight Super Swim Challenge because I’ve seen firsthand the incredible work Starlight does to brighten the lives of seriously sick kids. It’s hard to think of a more worthy cause.

I hope you’ll consider supporting my fundraising effort. And if you’re keen to swim too, we’ve reinstated our team The DeepEndables - we’d love you join! The more, the better! Follow the link below, and you’ll find the link to donate and the link to our team page, if you’re diving in with us!

https://superswim.org.au/a-rathgeber

With love and thanks,
Alex ✌️😎