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The heart of A Very Special Day
September 22, 2026
Thanks to the generosity of our community and the support of matching partners who doubled donations throughout the day, A Very Special Day has raised an incredible $560,600 and counting for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The stories behind the day
One of the stories shared during A Very Special Day came from Sue, whose family has been connected with Very Special Kids for more than 30 years.
On A Very Special Day, Sue shared:
“Today is a day full of emotions for me. This year 34 years ago I was 25 and a half weeks pregnant with twins. I was at work and my water broke. To say I was in shock was an understatement.
Fast forward all those years to today and we have been supported by Very Special Kids through some of our worst moments, after both of our twin boys, Frazer and Pierce, died. They passed away 16 years apart and Very Special Kids has supported us for the past 31 years. Thank you.”
We invite you to revisit this video recorded with Sue and her family in 2008, offering a glimpse into a relationship with Very Special Kids that spans decades.
The day also highlighted the many ways families choose to honour the memory of a child while helping others.
Among them was the family of Lucie, who set out to raise $150 in her memory. By the end of A Very Special Day, the family’s community had donated a very generous $12,000, creating a lasting tribute to Lucie while helping other families access the care and support they may one day need.
Lucie’s mum, Kath, reflected on the support her family received following Lucie’s death.
“We all spent four nights with Lucie at Very Special Kids after she died and we were treated so well. It was extremely sad but also so comforting to be surrounded by such wonderful professionals.”
A Very Special Day was also shaped by the generosity of families who shared their stories to help others understand the impact of Very Special Kids.
We are grateful to the families of Ali, Alba and Very Special Kids Advisor Beatrice for sharing their experiences throughout the campaign, helping shine a light on the realities of living with a life-limiting condition and the importance of children’s hospice care.
We also thank Very Special Kids Advisor Charlotte for helping spread the message and encouraging supporters to be part of the day.
Our Board Room was a hive of activity on A Very Special Day, with a wonderful team of volunteers hitting the phones to speak with our supporters, , processing donations and making sure every donation is doubled across the 24 hours.
Because of your generosity, families facing the unimaginable will continue to find care, comfort and connection through Very Special Kids. Thank you for making A Very Special Day truly special for the children and families who rely on us.
Thank you to our matching partners and private philanthropic donors, whose generosity helped amplify the impact of every gift on A Very Special Day.
