Team Shoalhaven raise money for the Starlight Foundation to help brighten the lives of sick children in hospitals across NSW.

“Have a Chat craft group has supported us for eight years,” Team Shoalhaven’s Terese Markham said.

“All these quilts will be given to sick kids in the Starlight Rooms in three different hospitals on the East Coast.

“When the kids get to hospital their rooms are just plain white, so then they are given a nice quilt to brighten the room.” 

Twice a year the group makes and donates between 80 and 100 quilts to Team Shoalhaven, who have this year alone raised more than $57,000 for the Starlight Foundation. 

“This money is raised in a variety of ways, we have our own food van, we use this at events like Terara Country Music Festival, where we do the BBQ for three days and poets breakfast,” Mrs Markham said. 

“We certainly smell like sausages and onions by the end. This year I think we went through something like 700 sausages, 50kg of bacon and 15kg of roast beef.

“We put a call out to the community for anyone with fresh eggs that had extra’s and the response was amazing with 60 dozen eggs and we used them all.”

Each year Team Shoalhaven also holds a trivia night, this year the event raised just over $12,000. The remaining money was raised by local businesses paying to have their logo displayed on charity bash cars.

Mrs Markham joined Team Shoalhaven after fulfilling her dream of taking part in a charity car bash.

“To go on a charity car bash was on my bucket list,” she said.

“I met amazing people and there are no words to describe the feeling you get when you are fortunate enough to meet the families and kids you are helping and have them thank you.

“Being able to visit the Starlight Room and spend time with Captain Starlight doing craft, games, having a laugh, smiling and being able to forget the medical side of things for a while is a big thing,” she said.

“So many of our local families have benefited from Starlight, when visiting hospital but also receiving once in a lifetime wishes. It breaks my heart but it also gives you a warm feeling that we have been able to help them a little.”

Donations of prizes for raffle or auction are always greatly appreciated. To support Team Shoalhaven follow them on Facebook – Team Shoalhaven Raising Money For Sick Kids or contact Terese on 4421 5011.