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Ruby’s wish to visit LEGOLAND® granted thanks players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Ruby, from Newcastle, lives with a rare condition that severely impacts her oesophagus. At just eight years old, she has had to endure countless surgeries, procedures and hospital trips. These experiences cause Ruby to feel incredibly anxious and scared, feelings no child should have to experience.
Having a child with traceal oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atreasia, a condition that impacts the oesophagus, is extremely rare. So, when Mum found out that Ruby, like her older brother, also had the condition shortly after being born – it was a shocking ordeal. Mum described the diagnosis: “When I tried to feed her it came back up in her mouth. Her brother has the same thing, so I knew what it was. They took her away and 30 minutes after in NICU the surgeon diagnosed her. It’s so rare to have two in the same household with the same condition. The surgeon was so shocked.”
When Mum found out that Ruby could have her very own wish from Make-A-Wish UK – the wish granting charity for critically ill children, choosing a wish came easily for Ruby, who has inherited her family’s love for Lego! Combined with her love for rides, a wish ‘to go to LEGOLAND® Windsor’, provided the perfect escape for Ruby who endures so much due to her condition.
Ruby’s wish kicked off when the family made their way from their home in Newcastle to LEGOLAND® Windsor. When they arrived at the resort, the family checked into the LEGOLAND® hotel. They immediately headed for the park's attractions and were treated to a full VIP experience throughout their stay.
For adrenalin junky Ruby, the rides were her favourite part and for brother Riley (who lives with the same condition) he loved meeting all the LEGO Ninjago characters. Seeing her children have fun and be carefree for once is a memory Mum will treasure forever.
“Make-A-Wish UK has a massive impact on families like ours. It's not just the wish itself – it has a lasting impact. It's things you don't forget, the special moments we had as a family. It helps with the anxiety side of things when they talk about it, and it brings them comfort. Not just for the children but for me as well.”
Thanks to the generous support from players of People's Postcode Lottery, Make-A-Wish UK has been awarded £900,000 over three years, which will help to grant thousands of wishes for critically ill children across the UK, just like Ruby’s.
"We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Thanks to the players we continue to be able to provide much needed family breaks for children just like Ruby, at a time when they need it most. Children deserve to wish for more than a life defined by their illness. The current demand for wishes is far outpacing our best efforts to keep up so it’s taking us longer to grant wishes. Ruby’s story highlights just how much wishes provide a much-needed escape for a child from the gruelling reality of living with a critical illness and the lasting impact of a wish on the whole family"
“It’s incredible to see the difference players’ support makes to children like Ruby and their families. Her wish marks a joyful milestone after such a difficult childhood, and I’m delighted that funding raised by our players is helping Make-A-Wish UK create magical moments like this. Every wish granted is a reminder of the power of hope and happiness during the toughest times.”
For more information about People's Postcode Lottery's charitable initiatives, visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/goodcauses
For more information about how to get involved with or donate to Make-A-Wish UK visit https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/
