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The most special day of the year is back!
August 28, 2025
We are excited to announce that on Tuesday 16 September, A Very Special Day – our fun, exciting and impactful annual matched giving day – is returning!
That’s double the impact and double the care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. But remember, it’s for 24 hours only!
Your help couldn’t come at a better time. Not only because we are celebrating Very Special Kids’ 40th anniversary, but also because we are experiencing an unprecedented 65% increase in the number of referrals from families in need of support!
Right now, your gift can help ensure Victoria’s only children’s hospice can always be ready to provide life-changing 24-hour paediatric palliative care, for families and children like Sophia, Lachie, and Damien & Dominic.
Sophia was born with a rare genetic condition that affects the communication between her nerves and muscles. After four months in the hospital, her airway collapsed. Zoe, Sophia’s mum, shared:
“They said that there’s no safe way to send her home unless they put an artificial airway in.”
To top things off, Zoe was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after giving birth and was undergoing treatment while Sophia underwent a tracheostomy.
With Sophia’s complex medical issues and need for 24-hour care, a five-week emergency respite stay at Very Special Kids House provided crucial support that helped the family transition from the hospital to their home with better confidence.
Lachie has a rare degenerative condition that will continue to attack his central nervous system as he grows. Despite that, he’s a happy and determined boy who walks using a frame. He’s even learned to say six words. “Mum” is the best one!
Living in regional Victoria, Lachlan’s parents are thrilled that the Very Special Kids road to respite van can pick Lachlan up for respite care at the children’s hospice, where Lachlan loves his music and hydrotherapy.
Lachlan’s mum, Alanna, shared:
“It’s phenomenal really, Very Special Kids has helped us when we really needed it and taken the pressure off.
“We know Lachie is safe and in good hands at the hospice, and it gives us the break we really need.”
When very special parents Katy and Maurice learned their twin boys had the same rare and life-limiting condition — spinal muscular atrophy — they turned to Very Special Kids as a second family.
Managing the twins’ degenerative condition is not an easy journey. As Damien and Dominic lose the ability to sit up or breathe on their own, your support means they can continue to live their fullest lives. Katy shares:
“Their bodies will grow, but they will never be able to walk on their own.
“I worry I won’t be able to lift them and take them places, but at Very Special Kids they can experience so much in the time we have left.”
Your support this year can help ensure Very Special Kids House is always available to children like Sophia, Lachie, Damien and Dominic, 24 hours of the day, with free of charge respite care they can’t get anywhere else.
You can:
- Help spread the word – Share our communications with your networks – friends, family, neighbours, members of your community groups
- Help fundraise by setting up a fundraising page – Gather some very special people and find a fun way to fundraise ahead of the day, knowing all your contributions will be doubled. You can sign up at averyspecialday.org.au
- Donate on A Very Special Day – Have your impact doubled on the day! Donate at averyspecialday.org.au
