Together, let’s say YES to every child

Critically ill children are used to hearing the word ‘no’. At Make-A-Wish, we get to say yes. Together, we can say yes to every child.

Right now, over 60,000 children in the UK are living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition which makes them eligible for a wish.

Sadly, we're only reaching a small percentage of those families. Is it right therefore that some families will benefit from a wish, whilst thousands more continue to struggle daily with the challenges of critical illness, with nothing to look forward to? We don’t think so. We believe that every child living with critical illness deserves to have their wish come true. For many of these families, time is running out.

We need to act now. We need you.

Why vote for Make-A-Wish?

"Having been in Paediatrics for over 20 years, I know the huge difference that a magical wish from Make-A-Wish has - not only on the brave children affected by life-threatening illnesses, but also their siblings and family. The psychological impact of even just telling a child that I would like to refer them for a magical wish, because I think they have been so courageous and have gone through so much more than most people do in their lifetimes, is always so wonderful.

What Make-A-Wish are able to do, to lift the children out of the dark places that they’re in, is so, so powerful. I refer as many of the children that I look after as possible because I know it has such a huge psychological impact. It’s really magical and something that helps them cope in the future too.”
Dr Larissa Kerecuk, Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Rare Disease Lead

How wishes help

Our research shows wishes have a long-lasting positive impact.

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Wish stories

Read about some of the children who've had their wish granted.

Wish stories

Wish eligibility

Each child must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for a wish.

Find out more