Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK - Briefing Sheet
Make-A-Wish is a charity with a single purpose - we grant magical wishes to children and young people aged 3-17 fighting life-threatening illnesses. Since we were launched in 1986 the charity has granted 5,000 wishes.
Over 20,000 children in the UK are living with a life-threatening illness, a figure validated by research commissioned by Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. At a human level, we believe few things can be more important, or more deserving, than giving a seriously ill child the chance to have their wish come true, with all the hope, expectation and happiness that brings.
For many families the Make-A-Wish memory can be the last happy memory they have of their child having fun in a magical world, surrounded by family and friends - rather than memories of days and weeks of painful treatments and hospitalisation. The memory of the wish may be of their child laughing and enjoying being a princess or zoo keeper for the day or meeting a favourite celebrity. In years to come, the family can look back and remember that special time.
Make-A-Wish is expert in wishgranting; it is all that we do, each and every day. At present we are granting ten wishes a week and our ambition is to grant 21 wishes every week by the end of 2010. But we need to raise £5 million if we are to realise our aim of granting 21 wishes a week.
Make-A-Wish is about passion, expertise, trust and fairness. Our wishes are about magic, hope, smiles and memories.
If you have a general media enquiry please contact the PR department on 01276 405090 or our PR agency, Third Sector PR, on 020 7592 3106.
Facts and Figures
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK was launched in June 1986 and for the first six years we operated from offices above a shop in Camberley, Surrey. Four wishes were granted in the first year, 13 in the second and by the end of the third year, 100 wishes had been granted. The very first wish was for teenager Anthony from Liverpool who, with his family, went to meet the Disney characters in Disney World, Florida.
The first wish to be granted in Scotland, in 1989, was in fact the 100th wish to be granted by Make-A-Wish. 16 year old Clark Dalgleish from Balerno wished to go on a US aircraft carrier and see an F14 jet. This very exciting wish took place in the Mediterranean only two weeks before Heads of State joined the ship for a summit meeting.
In November 1989 the first wish in Wales was granted. 14 year old Louise, from Rhyl, North Wales, went with her family to experience all the sights and thrills of Disney World Florida.
Also that month, the first wish in Northern Ireland was granted. 16 year old Gary O'Callaghan from Benburb wished to visit his uncle who worked at Disneyland, California. Very sadly, Gary died a short while after his wish.
1,000th Wish - Jessica Dwyer, age 10 from Grimsby, had her wish, to meet the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, granted at a very special occasion - the 10th anniversary party of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. The huge Beast, as tall as the ceiling, entered the room carrying a red rose. He approached Jessica, who was dressed in her pretty yellow Beauty dress, and invited her onto the dance floor. There wasn't a dry eye in the room!
3,000th Wish - 16 year old Sarah from Swindon had experienced such a tough time during her illness that she had one very special wish that would make her feel normal again - to have a make-over, but in New York. In February 2004, she and her family travelled to America where she had the most wonderful make-up session and new hairstyle. Sarah looked a million dollars in her fabulous new dress and coat.
5,000th wish - 10 year old Ciara from Wigan, living with a Brain Tumour, had her wish granted on 20 August 2008 when she was a model for the day in London.