Starlight Children's Foundation announced as Olympia's charity partner

This year, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been chosen as the official charity partner of the 2010 London International Horse Show at Olympia. Starlight, which is a national charity that brightens the lives of sick children with once-in-a-lifetime wishes and hospital entertainment, will be celebrating the partnership by bringing Christmas early to some very deserving children at the event in London on Thursday, 16 December.


The horse-mad children and their families will be able to watch the exhilarating schedule of equestrian competition, thrilling displays and festive entertainment, while meeting some of the riders and four-legged stars of the show.

One of the children that will join Starlight at the show is Katie. Katie is 17 years old and suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, which is a life threatening and life shortening genetic disease affecting the major organs of the body, especially the lungs and digestive system. Katie has to take a cocktail of drugs and has daily physiotherapy to help her. She has had a particularly tough time over the last year due to her illness and has spent a lot of time in hospital due to recurrent infections. This has meant she has missed a lot of school.

Katie’s once-in-a-lifetime wish is to go pony trekking somewhere warm.

"I love all animals and I love horse riding. I’m particularly interested in Western riding because of its links to natural horsemanship," she says. "To be able to go on a horse or pony trekking holiday would be amazing and something for my mum and I to look forward to."

The charity will receive 50p from every ticket sold for the afternoon show of Thursday, 16 December and will run the Shopping Drop Off Point, where shoppers can leave their belongings, hear more about Starlight and make a donation if they wish.

To book tickets for the Thursday afternoon show, click here or contact the box office on 0871 230 5574.

To refer a brave child or to make a donation to Starlight, click here or call 020 7262 2881. For every £1 you donate, Starlight can assure you that 88p goes towards helping Starlight’s very ill children.

Starlight grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share, whatever the future holds.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Sick children go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box. Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illnesses and simply have a bit of fun.