A Day of Play: Vantage Foundation Brings Surprise Prizes and Volunteers to Starlight Sydney

Surprise family day lifts spirits at Starlight Sydney

On a bright morning this month, staff from a corporate foundation, an events charity and a volunteer group turned a hospital lounge into a small festival. Children staying at Starlight Sydney were offered games, creative workshops and surprise prizes. For a few hours the medical routine faded into the background and parents got a chance to breathe.

The event was led by the Vantage Foundation and supported by Starlight Sydney and Team Building with Purpose. Volunteers handed out activity packs, ran craft tables and staged a light prize draw that left kids smiling and families visibly relieved. Organisers described the mood as joyful and quietly powerful: simple activities that made a real difference to people facing stressful days.

Who organised the day and why they teamed up

The Vantage Foundation, the corporate giving arm of a private group, provided funding and volunteers. Starlight Sydney, the local branch of a charity that supports children in hospital, hosted the event and matched the activities to the needs of patients and families. Team Building with Purpose, a firm that runs group volunteer programs, supplied extra hands and logistical help.

All three organisations have slightly different missions. Vantage Foundation focuses on community grants and employee volunteering. Starlight Sydney aims to reduce the isolation and boredom that come with long hospital stays by bringing play and distraction to children. Team Building with Purpose specialises in turning corporate volunteering into practical help for charities. Together they could cover money, specialist knowledge and manpower — a mix that makes short visits like this easy to run and pleasant to be part of.

What they did on the day

The program mixed quiet and lively activities so families could join as they were able. There were colouring and craft stations set up in a safe area, supervised by volunteers. A small prize draw gave out toys and experience vouchers meant for family use when children felt better. Organisers also ran a short performance with music and simple magic tricks to keep the energy light but calm.

Logistics were handled with care. The team worked with hospital staff to ensure infection-control rules were followed and that children with treatment schedules could still participate. Volunteers arrived early to set up, and the event wrapped up before routine ward work resumed. Food was provided in allergy-safe options and gift packs were tailored to age and medical needs.

Voices on the ground: organisers and families

“We wanted to create a normal, happy moment inside a very abnormal day,” said Emma Clarke, director of the Vantage Foundation. “Sometimes the smallest things — a craft set or a friendly face — make a huge difference.”

Michael Byrne, a coordinator at Starlight Sydney, said the organisation picks partners who understand the hospital setting. “These visits give families something different to hold on to. It’s not about big gestures — it’s about presence and planning,” he said.

One parent, Sarah Malik, whose seven-year-old attended the event, described the change she saw. “My son laughed for the first time since we checked in. That hour let us be parents, not patients,” she said. Such reactions are common: short breaks from medical routine can help children cope and give parents emotional room to rest.

Why corporate giving like this matters locally

Small, well-run visits are part of a wider trend where businesses use their people, money and skills to support nearby communities. For charities, partnerships with firms can mean reliable volunteers, funds for specific projects and new ideas. For companies, these programs often boost staff morale and show customers a softer side of the brand.

Critics say corporate philanthropy can sometimes be more about image than impact. But events that are planned with charities and hospital staff — rather than dropped in at random — tend to work well. This visit shows the practical side of corporate giving: it was modest in scale, clearly organised and aligned with the charity’s daily work, so its benefit was immediate and tangible.

Where to learn more and short organisation notes

For further information, the organisations involved have press contacts and public information on their websites and through social channels. Vantage Foundation provides grants and supports staff volunteering. Starlight Sydney runs hospital programs to entertain and comfort children during treatment. Team Building with Purpose organises volunteer days for corporate groups.

All three said they plan to run similar events in other locations where needs and hospital rules allow. For families and staff who attended, the day was a reminder that small efforts can change the tone of a hard time.

Sources

• prnewswire.com