Aidan Jachim and Jayde Elliott were among the sick, but lucky children to enjoy the special visit.

Jayde’s mum, Kristen Elliott, said Jayde was a “real girly girl” so was excited to have her nails and face painted. “She’s not going to want to leave and come home,” Mrs Elliott said.

“The highlight has been getting her face done. She couldn’t wait for me to get here and have a shower so she could have it all done.”

Captain Starlight said they loved to see the children’s faces light up when they arrived.

“The hospital experience is often boring and children can be sad, in pain or uncomfortable and we provide fun and laughter,” she said.

“We do anything to divert the kids’ attention to fun and to help them be like a kid again and help them enjoy their day.” 

The sick Tamworth children welcomed donated gifts from the Captains Starlight.

“We especially love visiting the regional kids,” she said.

“We leave them with gifts they can use over the next couple of days so they have nice memories of Captain Starlight’s visit. We also engage siblings of children who come in because coming into hospital is a drag and this gives them some fun.”

The visit also gave tired and worried a parents a break, so they could sit down and take time out.

While in the region, the captains also brightened the lives of sick children in Armidale.