Smiles 4 Miles

Can you share the story behind the founding of Smiles 4 Miles and what inspired you to create a program dedicated to bringing joy, creativity, and support to children facing serious illness?

Smiles 4 Miles is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that works with children facing life-threatening and terminal illnesses to bring smiles to their faces despite all they are going through. We do this through a range of hands-on activities tailored to the individual needs of each child, like slime making, rainbow explosions, arts and crafts, jewellery design, and more.

My name is Maxie Diamantopoulos, and I started Smiles 4 Miles at 19 after coming to the end of a very complex health journey of my own. For years, I suffered from seizures that were repeatedly misdiagnosed. After a separate life-threatening incident, a specialist discovered multiple airway malformations causing hypoxic seizures. Following three surgeries and the right treatment, I’ve been seizure-free ever since. I was granted a second chance at life, and I knew I had to dedicate it to helping children who might not be as fortunate, to bring them moments of joy despite their battles.

With such a diverse range of activities on offer, how does Smiles 4 Miles ensure that each experience is inclusive and tailored to suit children of all ages, cognitive abilities, and mobility levels?

Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We adapt every activity to the child’s age, cognitive and physical abilities, and medical needs. For example, we support children with limited mobility by guiding their hands through activities like mixing ingredients in science experiments. For those with sensory impairments, we focus on tactile engagement. And for children requiring a calm, low-stimulation environment, we offer quiet options like reading picture books or gentle craft activities. No matter how we deliver it, our goal is always the same - to bring smiles.

Your services extend beyond the sick children to their siblings as well. Why do you believe it's important to support the entire family during such challenging times?

We understand how deeply siblings are affected when a brother or sister is seriously unwell. During my own health journey, I saw how challenging it was for my family, and that inspired us to support the whole unit. One of our most meaningful offerings is helping children in palliative care create keepsakes for their loved ones, like hand-painted clay ornaments and heartfelt cards. Many choose to leave these for their siblings, offering something beautiful and lasting.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Smiles 4 Miles? Are there any new programs or initiatives you're excited to introduce in the future?

We’re excited to expand into more paediatric palliative care and end-of-life centres. Our mission remains simple: to bring joy to as many seriously ill children and their siblings as we can.

LEARN MORE https://www.smiles4miles.au/