Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) is delighted to share that Accor Stadium, home to Australia’s biggest sporting events, has unveiled a spectacular mural in support of our Movement of Many.
The unmissable artwork, measuring 17m by 8.5m in size, is located in the heart of the arena on the Level 1 public concourse and captures the portrait of a very special patient Accor Stadium has got to know well over the years . . . Dubbo teenager Molly Croft.
Accor Stadium is our latest corporate partner to transform their space, but the team are no strangers to helping sick and injured kids. The team have been longtime supporters of SCHF, with 21 years of advocacy under their belts!
In April 2023, when Accor Stadium heard about the launch of SCHF’s first brand campaign and the call out for more organisations to get on board, the team jumped at the chance to shine a light on kids’ health.
“The team at Accor Stadium takes its social responsibility seriously and recognises the unique opportunity we have to make a difference in our community,” says Arthur Stanley, Accor Stadium GM Media & Communications and who heads up the venue’s Charity & Community Program.
“This year we are celebrating our 21-year partnership with The Children’s Hospital at Westmead – and more broadly Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
“The team at SCHF, working with street artist extraordinaire Reuben Boughtwood, has done a remarkable job creating a giant mural featuring young Molly Croft and it has brought to life a feature wall inside Accor Stadium.
“Molly has become very dear to us all through numerous appearances at our Members’ functions and in support of our Charity & Community Program.”
Unsurprisingly, from the very first time the Accor Stadium team met Molly in 2019, they were blown away by her resilience and positive outlook on life. At just 16 years old, Molly is a two-time Osteosarcoma bone cancer survivor, and her journey has been a long one. Molly has faced 10 months in hospital, 30 weeks (about 7 months) in intensive chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, including the removal of most of the bone and knee in her right leg.
Like the thousands of spectators who will walk past Molly’s mural for years to come, she is an enthusiastic sportswoman. Despite receiving the devastating news that she would never be able to play any of the sports she loved again, Molly channelled her energy, passion, and appreciation into being an advocate for other young people.
Molly believes that “’having a heart of gold is where all rainbows begin – and given that I looked for a rainbow; a reason to smile every single day in hospital, I believe it’s important to always remember how blessed we are.”
Artist Reuben Boughtwood – known as Reubzz – recently painted Ollie’s Mural in Surry Hills’ Harmony Park and used his incredible talents across 7 days to bring Molly’s vision to life. You can view an amazing time-lapse of the mural being created below.
On Friday 9 June, Molly’s family, Reubzz and Accor Stadium staff held a small ceremony onsite for the ‘Big Reveal.’
Molly says, "When I saw the mural I couldn't believe how big it was - it's huge! It's very beautiful and Reuben couldn't have done a better job. I love it.
The mural for me, wasn't necessarily about me. For me, it's an opportunity to raise awareness about my type of cancer, Sarcoma, which is what I base my whole life around."
A special thank you to Molly and Accor Stadium for going all in for kids' health, always.
To get involved and join our Movement of Many, click here.