Make-A-Wish in Scotland

Our Scotland Fundraising Manager Carolyn Thornton is the person to contact about our fundraising operations in Scotland. She’s based at our dedicated Scotland office in Edinburgh:

Suite 7, 21 Lansdowne Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5EH

T/F: 0131 535 1037 M: 07740 161988
E: carolyn.thornton@make-a-wish.org.uk

If you would like to know more about becoming one of our valued Make-A-Wish volunteers, please click here.
Would you like to fundraise for Make-A-Wish? For further details about individual and community fundraising and some great ideas for creating your own fundraising events, please follow this link.
Are you part of a business that's seeking a charity to raise money for at work? Follow this link to find out more about becoming one of our Charity of the Year partners.
Legacy donations are an important part of the income of Make-A-Wish and help us to continue granting our magical wishes. Please click here to find out more.

Latest news

Jail Break 2011

A HUGE thank you to all our 'prisoners' who took part in Jail Break. To date over £25,000 has been raised, which is fantastic!

Our three Jail Break prisoners from BSkyB, Chris Stylianou, Steve MacDiarmid and Dougie Cameron, would like to express their thanks to colleagues who helped them to raise their 'bail money' (if you don't know, they needed to raise this to get out of 'jail' at Edinburgh Castle!).

Staff were given the chance to enter a prize draw to win a SOUTH AFRICA BIG 5 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Experience for two people for two weeks on a South African Game Reserve. All the money raised went towards the 'bail money' required for Chris, Steve and Dougie.

The lucky winner is Eve Young, pictured here with Dougie Cameron receiving her prize! Many thanks to Real Gap who donated this fabulous prize. All the money raised will help us to continue granting magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.

Chris, Steve and Douguie would also like to thank the following companies who helped them raise an incredible £15,000!

Small Car Big City, London
Waterfall Spa, Yorkshire
Abbots Brae Hotel, Scotland
New Steine Hotel, Brighton
Big Night Out, Leeds
The Wheatsheaf at Swinton, Scotland
The Green Hotel Golf and Leisure Resort
TIGI Hair Care, UK
Malmaison, Edinburgh
Hotel Du Vin, Edinburgh
CHAMPNEYS
Vodafone London Fashion Week
Dalmahoy, Marriott Hotel and Country Club
Wookey Hole Hotel, Somerset
Roxburghe Hotel Kelso, Scotland
Legally Blonde, London
The Woman in Black

Thanks to all!

A recent wish

Four year old Victoria from East Lothian had her wish granted to be a princess…with a touch of magic and lashings of help from Dundas Castle in Edinburgh!

Victoria was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in August 2009. For the past two years she has had chemotherapy treatment, which is due to finish in November this year. The chemotherapy caused Victoria to have a stroke, which she recovered well from, but also made her lose her hair. She also caught Swine Flu and has had Glandular Fever because of her low immune system.

“When Victoria lost her hair she didn’t feel very girly,” said Mum Vera, “but her wish made her feel really special; it’s easy to say it was the best day of her life!”

Princess Victoria started her magical day by being picked up in a limousine and taken to the beautiful grounds of historic Dundas Castle, where she was greeted by a trumpeter. Her very own Prince Charming met her at the door, where Princess Victoria jumped into his arms!

Upstairs in the Winter Room her dress, tiara, jewellery, shoes and presents were all waiting, so it was time for a change of clothes! Once her mini-makeover was complete, she was whisked downstairs in full princess attire to the main hall, where Prince Charming was waiting for a magical dance (the part Princess Victoria had most been looking forward to).

After playing hide-and-seek with the prince, Princess Victoria was ready for a well-earned lunch – a spread of all her favourite foods: cocktail sausages, cream cheese sandwiches, strawberry ice cream and chocolate buttons! After lunch, Princess Victoria was treated to a horse and carriage ride with Prince Charming, and her Mum and Dad, around the grounds. On arrival back at the castle, some puppies were waiting for her to play with, before a specially-made cake was bought out for all to enjoy.

Vera said: “The day was just out of this world, it was unbelievable; at one point there were about 20 people making her happy!

“We’re very grateful to Make-A-Wish and Dundas Castle for how amazing it all was – Victoria was completely spoilt!”

Siobhán Leith, Marketing Manager at the castle, said: “As an events venue it means a great deal to us to be able to help organise, and share, such a special day. We are humbled by the hard work that Make-A-Wish does and by the generosity of those who have contributed to making Victoria’s wish a reality.”

Follow this link to see a blog from the kind people at the castle: www.dundascastle.co.uk/blog/make-a-wish.html

Upcoming events

Meadows Marathon – Sunday 4 March 2012

The Meadows Marathon is a marathon, half-marathon and fun run all rolled into one which takes place in the Meadows, Edinburgh.

How to take part

You can gain your own place directly from the race organisers. Once you have your own place, please complete our online registration form to join our team. For runners with their own place we don't set a minimum sponsorship pledge.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series comes to Edinburgh!

Don’t miss the opportunity on Sunday 15 April 2012 to rock 13.1 scenic miles in Scotland! Get into gear in 2012 and raise vital funds for Make-A-Wish while keeping fit and healthy with your friends, family and colleagues.

The former ADT Edinburgh Half Marathon will transform into the UK’s first Rock ‘n’ Roll Edinburgh Half Marathon, adding live bands to the course and a post-race concert.

Participants can expect the following at this inaugural race:

A scenic course throughout Edinburgh’s historic city centre
Live music every mile
A rockin’ Finish Line Festival
Technical tee and Finisher’s Medal
Rock solid operations from start to finish

If you would like to take part, please contact Carolyn Thornton on 0131 535 1037 or email carolyn.thornton@make-a-wish.org.uk.

Edinburgh Marathon Festival – 26 and 27 May 2012

The Edinburgh Marathon is Scotland's most popular marathon. It began in 2003 and has continually grown in popularity and stature, having just received a 97% satisfaction rating in a recent Runner's World poll. In numbers, the Edinburgh Marathon is second only to the London Marathon in the UK, with over 16,000 runners taking part. There is also the option of entering relay teams of 4 runners, each running 6.5 miles.

How to sign up

There are two ways to gain a place in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival:

You can apply for a charity place here, where we ask you to pay a deposit of £40 and pledge to raise minimum sponsorship of £500.

You can gain your own place directly from the race organisers. Once you have your own place, please complete our online form to join our team. For runners with their own place we don't set a minimum sponsorship pledge.