It was a night to remember in Christchurch as members of StarJam’s Canterbury branches came together for one final, unforgettable show.

The concert celebrated nearly two decades of empowering young people with disabilities through music and performance, even as the charity faces closure due to funding challenges.

Ashburton StarJam volunteer Nicola Algie said the announcement of StarJam’s closure has been heartbreaking for the community. “I’m a Christchurch girl originally, and as I was driving through, I just thought, this is not okay. We cannot let these kids miss out on their end-of-year concert,” Algie said.

Volunteer Solinda reflected on the emotional toll of the closure. “There’s a lot of emotions kind of running through. I’ve been, oh my gosh, I’m not gonna cry. But you know, emotions are good. I think it shows how valuable StarJam has been for the community—for whānau—and how it’s connected people who might not otherwise connect.”

For many performers, StarJam has been life-changing. One performer said, “It’s been about getting to know people and everything. I feel happy—good.” Another added, “Being on stage is amazing. It’s a great time, and I’ve learned so much from performing over the years.”

This final show was only made possible through the determination of volunteers and support from the community. Vicki-Anne Parker, from the charity NZ Gifts of Love and Strength, praised Christchurch Casino for stepping in to provide the necessary funding.

“The casino has been wonderful in supporting us. When I saw that the concert was likely to be cancelled because of funding issues, it just didn’t feel right—especially at Christmas time. I reached out to the CEO, Brett, and he came back with the great news that they could help.”

The evening was a powerful reminder of what StarJam has meant to so many families across New Zealand. Performers took to the stage with all the passion and joy that has made the charity beloved nationwide.