Kate Waterhouse for Young Starlight

The Young Starlight Committee today announced Sydney identity Kate Waterhouse as the official ambassador for Young Starlight, a move to coincide with their upcoming annual cocktail party which brings Sydney’s hip social scene together in an effort to raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Young Starlight is an official fundraising committee of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, consisting of volunteers who organise fundraising events targeting Sydney’s young professionals. Several social events such as cocktail parties, cruises and balls take place each year.

According to Kate Waterhouse the opportunity to help seriously ill children is extremely important and something more young people should be aware of.

"The Young Starlight Committee is a great initiative and events such as the cocktail party are a fun way for young people to become involved in a worthy charity like Starlight," says Kate. "I’m really pleased to be taking on this exciting role as the Young Starlight Ambassador and am starting by encouraging people to buy tickets for the cocktail party, which will not only raise funds to brighten seriously ill children’s lives, but will be a great night out."

The Young Starlight cocktail party is being held on Thursday 11 August 2005 from 7.30-11.30pm at Loft Bar, King Street Wharf, 3 Lime Street, Sydney. Tickets are just $85 and include canapés, alcohol and entertainment.

Chairperson for Young Starlight, Natalie Benke, is delighted to have Kate as the new ambassador, whom she believes will greatly assist in promoting more awareness for their worthy cause.

"Last year’s cocktail party was a huge success and with Kate now on board as the official ambassador we’re expecting this one to be even better with significant funds raised which will go towards Starlight’s programs, which aim to brighten the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children," says Benke.

"As Young Starlight Ambassador, Kate will be able to provide ongoing support for all of our initiatives and really have an impact in helping young people like herself to become more involved with the charity."

In the next 12 months 600,000 children will be hospitalised in Australia. Currently Starlight’s programs reach around 200,000 seriously ill children and their families each year, providing much needed distraction through Starlight Express Rooms featuring the wonderful Captain Starlight, Starlight Fun Centres and Starlight Express Vans, Starlight Escapes and the Starlight Wishgranting program. But many more children are in need of some Starlight magic. Currently 539* children with a critical, chronic or terminal illness are awaiting their Starlight wish (* as at June 05).

To make donations or for any enquiries contact Natalie Benke on 0419 529 089 or Cherie Carroll on 0438 633 458