"Following my Rays of Sunshine wish, i wanted to give other seriously and terminally ill children a similar opportunity to me and knew the only way i could do that was to start raising money from my hospital bed!"

Visit: www.sunshineappeal.org.uk for more information!! 

I am Alice Halstead, former wish child and Special Ambassador for Rays of Sunshine. Rays of Sunshine is a children’s charity dedicated to granting wishes to seriously and terminally ill children between 3-18 years old. They enable the child and their family to experience the joy and excitement of doing something they have only ever dreamt of before.

Four years ago, my life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with a unique form of diabetes where my body produces antibodies to the insulin I require to keep me alive. As a result the hospital became my home for the last three and a half years and normal everyday living like socialising with friends came to a sudden halt. Moving away from home comforts and the company of family and friends was difficult and upsetting but I knew it was for the best. After a long four year battle of constant monitoring by medical staff and numerous immuno suppression treatment to try and stabilise my condition, I was given the exciting news that I was allowed to be discharged from my hospital bed for the first time in three and a half years with a team of nurses to monitor my blood sugar levels overnight.

Despite it being four years of highs and lows, I was fortunate to be granted a wish by Rays of Sunshine. When I was given my wish pack three years ago by the play leader at the Leeds General Infirmary, not only was I in a state of shock that I would be considered for one but what would I choose – That was the moment when I realised how poorly I was. In my naivety, wishes were for terminally ill children who went to Lapland – how very wrong I was. My wish - to go to London to see the Lion King gave me many memories to keep, the organisation was fantastic and I enjoyed a night away from my hospital bed for the first time in three years. I can’t thank Rays of Sunshine enough for everything they have done for me and for treating me like a princess.Following my wish, I wanted to give other seriously and terminally ill children a similar opportunity to me and knew the only way i could do that was to start raising money from my hospital bed. Spending 3 and a half years in hospital has made me realise there is always someone worse off than yourself. I have met so many lovely families and sadly not all of them are now complete.  

Within 3 months of my wish, Alice’s Sunshine Appeal was formed and in 16months I have raised pver £30,000 for Rays of Sunshine in which 11 special wishes have been granted and turned into happy memories! Wishes I have helped to grant include going to Disneyworld Florida to enjoy the magic of Minnie & Mickey Mouse, Swimming with Dolphins, Going on a shopping spree to receiving a laptop so they can keep in touch with their friends whilst being in hospital. Wishes range from £500 to £6,000. Five hundred pounds will grant a child’s wish to be collected by Limousine, and taken to Legoland to spend a day of fun there! More expensive wishes include holidays abroad like Disneyland, Disneyworld & to meet Santa Claus. The above example wishes are only possible with your support and contribution through sponsorship.

In October 2010, In recognition of my dedication and passion to fundraising for them, I became the first Special Ambassador for Rays of Sunshine. I have now made it my mission to help bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of children and their families, making sure that every child living with a serious or life limiting illness can have their once in a life time wish granted.

Take a look at wishes granted, You may look at some of those special wishes and wonder ‘why did they choose that?’ As a former wish child, I can appreciate how the simplest of wishes like going to a musical, going on holiday or going to the zoo can mean so much to that child as an individual. One of those wishes may be something you take for granted or enjoy as part of an annual experience – but for many of those children – going to hospital, clinic appointments and treatment is their experience!

What difference will make donation make? 

Can you help turn wishes into happy memories?

o   £500.00 will grant a wish for Jake to be collected by Limousine, and taken to Legoland to spend a day of fun there!

o   £750.00 will grant a wish for Emily who is confined to hospital to have a laptop to keep up to date with the latest gossip from her friends! 

o   £1000.00 will grant a wish for Liam to go to London to see a West End Show where he will stay in a top hotel and be driven around the city by limousine!

o   £1500.00 will grant Melissa’s wish to go to Alton Towers , spending 2 nights in the Alton Towers Hotel with her parents, brother and sister!

o   £2000.00 will grant Oliver’s wish to go to Centre Parcs with his parents and sister on a 4 night break!

o   £2500.00 will grant Chloe’s wish to go to Disneyland Paris by Eurostar for 3 nights and 4 days!

o   £5000.00 will grant Henry’s wish to go to Disneyworld Florida for 7 nights!

o   £6000.00 will grant Libby’s wish to visit Santa Claus at Lapland for 3 nights with her parents and 2 brothers!

“I am on a mission to raise as much money as I can, however difficult it may be at times, and help Rays of Sunshine turn wishes into happy memories.” Alice’s Sunshine Appeal has held numerous events, check them out and the future events too… Alice's Sunshine Appeal - Events

"Life is not measured by the number of our days but by the number of lives we inspire."

For more information please do not hesitate to contact me on alice.halstead@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you, Alice xxx

Rays of Sunshine's Special Ambassador and former wish child!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.