Meet our 2026
Super Steps
motivators
Check out the incredible stories of Aru, Avi and Elijah that will help motivate our 2026 Super Steppers
Aru
Avi
Elijah
This terrific trio will be there every step of the way, cheering our fundraisers along with their inspiring stories, bringing many smiles to our faces and putting a spring in your step
Aru
“The Captains are Aru’s favourite type of people! They empower kids by asking what they want to do - just having choices in an environment which typically strips those away means the world to sick kids.” Smital, Aru's Mum
Waiting at the doctors with her six-month-old baby daughter Aru, mum Smital could never have imagined this visit would change their lives forever. Smital and dad Kiran were numb as doctors told them their only child needed a heart transplant.
The family stayed in Melbourne's Royal Children’s Hospital for six months waiting for Aru's heart transplant. During those heartbreaking months, the family discovered Starlight.
With hospital consuming their lives, they are thankful for the little moments of happiness that help Aru's family cope with the relentless strain and worry.
Aru, now a bubbly, chatterbox three-year old, loves visiting the Starlight Express Room to play with Captain Starlight and do art and crafts. The family affectionately call it her "treat" after treatment and love that the room has something for children of all ages.
When you join Starlight Super Steps, you’ll help make hospital a happier place for sick kids like Aru. The money you raise will help bring laughter and happiness to sick kids when they need it most.
Avi
Shortly after she was born, Avi was diagnosed with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a severe form of juvenile Motor Neurone Disease. Parents Bethan and Jonny were told to prepare for the worst, and Avi was placed into palliative care. Her family moved from their home in the Northern Territory to Sydney, where Avi was involved in a clinical trial for SMA at just five months old.
But to everybody's amazement and delight, Avi's treatment began to work! While doctors still don’t know what her future will hold, Avi was discharged from palliative care after five years of successfully responding to treatment.
For Avi, the hardest part of her condition is having to be in hospital so often. She splits her time between Royal Darwin Hospital, and a children's hospital in Sydney where she has her specialist treatment. One shining light for Avi throughout her hospital journey has been the fun and positive energy of Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Rooms.
"Avi loves the Captains so much," shares Bethan. "She measures her days around when she can go to the Starlight Express Room, or when the Captains can visit her on the wards if she’s in isolation." Bethan (Dad)
Elijah
When Elijah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia just prior to starting Prep, the family’s lives were turned upside down.
Elijah was admitted to hospital immediately, and suddenly his world was consumed by surgery, needles, and chemotherapy. Unable to have any visitors, Elijah was left isolated from family and friends at a time he should have been building new friendships and having fun at school.
Inside of the hospital, Elijah was super excited to discover the fun and joy of Captain Starlight.
As soon as he was well enough Elijah would visit the Starlight Express Room as often as he could! The Captains could send Elijah into fits of laughter and he loved the silliness of their jokes.
“What Starlight made happen, this only exists because people give... this is going to be with us for the rest of our lives” Kylie (Mum)
