Melbourne Storm Sets Fundraising Record with $100,257 for Starlight Children’s Foundation

Melbourne Storm raised a record-breaking $100,257 for The Starlight Children’s Foundation during the Club’s annual Starlight Round at AAMI Park, marking the highest single-year total in a decade-long partnership between the organisations.

Record-Breaking Achievement

The 2026 fundraising total will support approximately 2,500 seriously ill children and their families, adding to the cumulative impact of over 9,000 children and families assisted throughout the ten-year partnership. The milestone represents the largest annual contribution since Melbourne Storm began its formal collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The record was driven in part by new fundraising initiatives, including the introduction of the Storm-A-Thon event, which contributed significantly to the final total. The event featured a “Starlight Under the Stars” theme, with Starlight wands creating pre-game atmosphere for attendees at AAMI Park.

Player Community Engagement

Nine named Melbourne Storm players participated in hospital visits as part of the Starlight Round activities, including Josh King, Tyran Wishart, Eli Katoa, Jack Hetherington, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Marion Seve, Ativalu Lisati, Staley Huen, and Hugo Peel. Male and female pathway players also joined the hospital outreach program.

The players visited children at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital in the Starlight Express Room, providing direct interaction between professional athletes and young patients receiving treatment.

Family Experience Elements

Starlight families received special access to match-day experiences, including participation in the coin toss ceremony, forming a guard of honour, sideline viewing opportunities, and junior mascot field experiences. These elements were designed to create memorable moments for families managing serious childhood illnesses.

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