Disney singer Griff meets Emily

Emily, who has a heart condition, is waiting for her wish to be granted – to star in her own film. In the meantime, the charity Make-A-Wish UK thought she’d enjoy quizzing someone with her own high profile career. The organisation arranged for Emily and her mum Rebecca to ‘meet’ Griff as part of their long-standing partnership with Disney.

During the video call, Emily was given an exclusive, ‘first look’ at Griff’s acoustic performance of Love is A Compass, ahead of its launch.

The track, which is written by LA-based songwriters PARKWILD, is raising funds for Make-A-Wish, in celebration of Disney’s 40-year partnership with the charity. For every download of the track before 31 December 2020, 100% of the proceeds from the retail price will be donated to Make-A-Wish International, to help grant life-changing wishes*.

Emily, who lives with her mum Rebecca, gran Elaine and three-month-old baby brother in Lincoln, loves watching films and her ambition is to be a famous actor.

She spoke to Griff, who was in her recording studio surrounded by guitars, about their favourite films, actors and performing artists.

Asked what she does in her spare time, Griff replied: “When I’m not making music, I like making clothes and sewing, hanging out with my friends, going for long drives and listening to music.”

Since 1980, Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant more than 140,000 wishes around the world – experiences that not only brighten lives, but also help wish children and their families replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope.

The launch of Disney’s 2020 holiday campaign is the latest example of the brand’s ongoing support for the organisation and includes the three-minute animated short film.

The heart-warming storyline is inspired by the themes of traditions, family togetherness and nostalgia, and introduces two new characters – a grandmother, Lola, and her granddaughter - alongside familiar friend Mickey Mouse who features as a much-loved toy, gifted to Lola as a young child by her father in 1940.

As well as the charity track, Disney fans can buy the vintage Mickey Mouse Christmas soft toy featured in the advert from The Disney Store and ShopDisney.co.uk, further benefiting Make-A-Wish organisations.

Griff said it was lovely to meet Emily and added: “It’s been a rewarding campaign to be a part of, not only having the opportunity to record ‘Love Is A Compass’ in the studio, but also learning more about the incredible work of Make-A-Wish, and the families and children they support all around the world.

“I’m pleased that money raised from the release of ‘Love Is A Compass’ as well as sales of the Mickey Mouse soft toy that features in the advert**, will go towards helping to continue the efforts of this brilliant charity.”

To find out more, visit https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/disney-helps-grant-wishes-across-the-world

Media contact

Simon Henry
Make-A-Wish UK Communications
[email protected]
07786 650922
Make-A-Wish UK, 7th Floor, Thames Tower, Station Road, Reading, RG1 1LX

For images or video footage to support this story, please contact [email protected]

About Make-A-Wish UK

Every day, the lives of 10 families in the UK are changed forever when a child is diagnosed with a serious illness. From that moment, childhood takes a backseat to medical appointments and worry. A wish helps to restore that childhood and puts worry on the backseat. It provides an opportunity to choose something positive to look forward to and the chance to be a child first and a patient second.

Make-A-Wish UK is a registered charity that was established in the UK in 1986 to support children and young people diagnosed with a serious illness or life-limiting condition, by granting them their dearest wish. The charity receives no Government funding - registered charity numbers: 295672 in England and Wales, SC037479 in Scotland.

Notes to editors

We do not use the phrase ‘terminally ill’ and ask that you follow suit because some poorly children and young people are not made aware of the exact nature of their diagnosis and we respect their family’s approach to their situation. Some also recover fully from their illness.

Please refer to us as Make-A-Wish^® UK in the first instance to distinguish us from affiliates in other countries. Thereafter ‘Make-A-Wish’ is suitable.

Please hyperlink to our website (https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk) when you mention Make-A-Wish online.

You can also find us on social media @makeawishuk