Starlight makes young Allan’s wish come true

By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG boy Allan Vince has received an early Christmas present courtesy of the Starlight Children’s Foundation (SCF).
Allan, 7, is still attending monthly hospital checkups after a battle with dysplastic kidney disorder more than three years ago. The disorder meant he lost both his kidneys and relied on a donated kidney from his father, Allan Vince Snr, to stay alive.
Star revealed the heart-warming story in April this year and it has since attracted a lot of media attention.
His wish was to meet the Young Divas pop group and last month that dream came true.
Starlight Foundation spokeswoman Melissa Hay said the wish was granted in an experience Allan would never forget.
After arriving at the foundation’s headquarters in Melbourne, Allan and his family were picked up in a Hummer stretch limousine and taken to a restaurant.
While ordering food, the Young Divas appeared to surprise Allan, who according to mother Mary-Ann Klement was in shock.
“He was very shy at first and he blushed,” she said.
“But then he became very excited and showed them the Hummer limousine.”
Ms Klement said her son then went for a walk with the Young Divas before the pop group signed its original album for Allan and then gave him a signed copy of its new album.
To cap off a wonderful day, the Young Divas then sang Allan’s favourite song, Happening All Over Again, with the youngster.
The foundation’s head of marketing, Anne Johnston, said Christmas was “elusive” for so many ill children and their families.
“There are so many other pressures to cope with,” she said.
“By supporting Starlight this Christmas you will be helping to grant a seriously ill child their own special wish.
“Starlight wishes provide these children and their families with really positive experiences at an extremely difficult time in their lives, the benefits last well beyond the wish itself and help to restore some of the fun and laughter all children deserve.”
To support the Starlight Children’s Foundation visit www.starlight.org.au or call 1300 727 827.