About Make-A-Wish Foundation UK
Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK was formed in 1986 and has a very simple objective - to grant the wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.
A wish granted is true magic for the child and provides them and their families with hope, strength and joy at a time of uncertainty.
Since June 1986 more than 4,400 very special children have searched the depths of their imagination to select their most heartfelt wish, and Make-A-Wish has turned their wishes into a reality. Through a wish, the most incredible dreams come true.
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK allows children to test the boundaries of their imagination when selecting a wish. Most wishes fall into one of four categories:
I wish to go
I wish to meet
I wish to be
I wish to have
The following wishes are true examples of the wishes we grant – they illustrate the flexibility and enterprise our teams employ in creating each special wish, but they also demonstrate the way wishes “grow” into truly wonderful experiences with the help of individuals who see what we do and simply offer to share in the power of a wish.
Abigail, aged seven, has always wished to be a princess. Her wish was granted when our team of wishgranters arranged for Abigail, who has had a heart transplant, to become a princess and visit Lumley Castle in County Durham.
Abigail, when asked why she wanted to be a princess, replied ‘because princesses are special'.
Everybody connected with the Wish, Make-A-Wish volunteers, the staff and other guests at Lumley Castle and the military band that played as the family arrived at the castle, made sure that the little girl was indeed ‘special’.
Her mum Wendy said, “After all the worry and pain Abigail has gone through in her short life, she really did deserve a treat, and thanks to Make-A-Wish, it was one she will never forget”.
James was granted his wish of a laptop computer, digital camera and printer which brought fun and enjoyment to his last weeks of life.
At first James’s dearest wish was to swim with dolphins and he was thrilled when he was told it would be granted. But before he had a chance to go his condition deteriorated. Instead the wishgranting team swung into action and quickly granted James’ second wish.
James and his family were picked up from their home in Croydon by limousine and driven around London and they then went for a meal in the Rainforest Café.
When James arrived home he found all the computer equipment waiting for him. His face was a picture. His wish brought him so much fun. He sat propped up in bed playing his computer games and took pictures of his friends when they came to visit.
His friends could only stay for five minutes at a time – because that is all James had the energy for – but he was able to look at their photos over and over again.
James sadly passed away on October 26th 2002. His mother says “As a family, we know life will go on, but it will never be the same without James. We’re just so grateful to Make-A-Wish for bringing him happiness in his last weeks of life.”
When a child is stricken down with an illness, often there are others whose lives are directly impacted. In all possible cases, Make-A-Wish pledges to grant a child’s wish, regardless of its cost or complexity; and ensure that immediate family members have the opportunity to participate in the wish. Wishes enrich the lives of parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members – replacing the pain and heartbreak caused by a child’s illness with laughter and joy.
A network of regional volunteers, supported by a team of professional staff, work tirelessly to ensure that wishes are fulfilled to the highest excellence. Trained volunteers visit each child to find out their special wish and then, once the wish has been approved, the organisation swings into action to ensure that it is carried out with the utmost care to provide a memorable time for all concerned.
A wish gives a child and their family something to look forward to through their many months of treatment and the reward of an experience to treasure forever.
When you support Make-A-Wish through fundraising, making a donation, volunteering or referring a child you give not only a magical experience but memories to last a lifetime.
Our history
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK was formed in 1986 and is a member of the largest wishgranting organisation in the world.
It all started on 29th April 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona, when a seven-year-old boy named Christopher realised his lifelong wish to become a police officer.
Many of those responsible for fulfilling Christopher’s wish wanted to do the same for other children with life-threatening illnesses. This led to the formation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
There are now more than 29 affiliates worldwide all liasing closely with each other when a child wishes to visit their country. The foundation has granted more than 144,000 wishes to children across the globe.
Today a child enjoys a Make-A-Wish experience at the rate of one wish per hour every day around the world.