HELEN Barker gets goose bumps every time she remembers the first wish she granted for a seriously ill child.
“It’s the greatest sense of reward and satisfaction that you can ever have,” said the 31-year-old.
“The joy it can bring a seriously ill child … I can’t explain it in words.”
This Wyndham Vale woman-turned-fairy godmother was issued with her “magical powers” after becoming a volunteer with the Starlight Children’s Foundation seven years ago.
“It is really rewarding,” she said of her first wish granting experience.
Ms Barker felt compelled to take up her first volunteering role because she knew there was more she could do with her time and because of her love of children.
“I was at home living with Mum and Dad doing nothing,” she said.
“I prefer to put my spare time to use.”
The first wish she granted was for a 12-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and whose dream was to get a laptop.
For Ms Barker this involved having enough time to phone around, meet with the family, and the most important ingredient – the ability to embellish.
Not only did Ms Barker obtain a laptop, she also integrated the sick boy’s second wish and had Fox-FM radio announcers present it to him in their studio.
“And we were able to let him watch their show,” she said.
“Embellishment is the secret so that they (the recipients) remember it forever. It’s absolutely marvellous to see the smiles on their faces.”
Training is provided by Starlight to all volunteers.
Granting wishes is one aspect of volunteering, but there are other ways for people to get involved if they don’t have as much time on your hands as wish granting can require.
Every year, without fail, Ms Barker marks off Starlight Day on her calendar and makes sure she spends it selling merchandise on the annual fundraising day.
This year, Starlight Day is on Friday 4 May, and yet again, she will transform into team leader of a stall at Werribee Plaza.
“A lot of people are receptive, some throw money at you and don’t ask for change,” she said.
“I hope the article gets more people out there to volunteer. Reality has it though, that people are just too busy these days.”
If you would like to help out at the Werribee Plaza, or at another location, the Starlight Children’s Foundation would be greatly appreciative.
Starlight aims to raise $2.2 million on 4 May and is calling for 5000 volunteers Australia-wide to participate on the day.
To register, visit the website www.starlightday.org.au or call 1300 727 827.
