Ed Sheeran a ‘Perfect’ match for WCH
While Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran was touring the east coast of Australia earlier this year, performing to sold-out stadiums, he was also making the time to visit children’s hospitals and perform for sick kids.
Queensland Children’s Hospital was first, followed by Sydney Children’s Hospital and then Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital. With his Adelaide concert date approaching, speculation began to grow as whether he might visit the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) in Adelaide.
Soon enough we got the call, thanks to the Hospital Research Foundation and despite only being in Adelaide for less than 12 hours, he managed to make time in his busy schedule to visit some of our lucky patients.
After some quick and careful coordination with staff and families on wards, patients who were able to leave their hospital rooms safely were invited to join Sheeran for an intimate acoustic show in our Starlight Express Room.
He arrived to a true popstar welcome thanks to excited staff lining the hallways and then performed his smash hit songs 'Perfect', 'Shivers' and 'Shape Of You'. He generously gave patients the opportunity to ask questions about his life and music with his answers giving insight into how genuinely down to earth and caring the singer has remained in the face of immense fame.
When asked why he visits children’s hospitals, he answered:
"It's a really powerful gift to be able to come in and make someone smile. Who am I to say that I shouldn't be using that every day?"
We can definitely confirm that the smiles from our patients – and staff - were countless.
He was gifted a handmade card and some beaded bracelets made by one of our clever patients along with some uniquely South Australian sweet treats, before heading off to Adelaide Oval to prepare for that night’s concert.
For those patients not able to leave their beds, a live stream was made available so they could watch the action, thanks to Starlight TV.
Thank you to Ed Sheeran or ‘Teddy’ as his fans call him, for giving us your time, to The Hospital Research Foundation for helping make it happen, and to our Captain Starlights from the Starlight Foundation for hosting the day that brought delight to so many across the Network.
