Wish stories

For Matilda, princesses added a splash of colour to a glum and unimaginative hospital ward. They served as a distraction for the five-year-old who had to endure harsh chemotherapy for a leukaemia diagnosis. “At the beginning of treatment we watched a lot of princess movies so she got into it, she would dress up as princesses whilst on the ward,” said mum Hannah. But now, the five-year-old was able to delve into a world of royalty whilst exploring the luxurious halls of her own palace and getting the princess treatment on her wish.

“For any normal person who hears the word cancer, it's devastating and scary but when it comes to your child it feels like the world stops.” A sudden cancer diagnosis quickly sent the family’s lives spiralling into a fear-filled world where Matilda’s future was left uncertain. “We took her to the GP at eight in the morning, the next morning she was diagnosed and had started chemotherapy,” said Mum.

Just a toddler at the time, and unaware of what was happening, Matilda was left frightened by the procedures that her cancer saw her experience. As Mum told us, “She was confused and upset, she didn’t understand why she was getting cannulas put in her, she was so young.”

A tight-knit family, the diagnosis was life-altering for everyone. Lockdown restrictions split the family in half. Whilst receiving treatment, Matilda’s family was unable to visit her in hospital, making what is already an isolating experience even more so. As Mum explained, “I was in hospital and Oliver, Matilda’s dad, was at home with her younger sister, Clara. Me and Oliver would switch out every couple of days. Our family was broken in half.”

Treatment shaped Matilda’s life. Undergoing multiple blood tests and procedures, Matilda had no choice but to be strong. “Most adults won’t have had as many blood tests in their lifetime as she’s had at just five. Already she’s had 21 general anaesthetics - I haven't had one,” said Mum.

Still, Matilda does everything “with a smile on her face and spring in her step,” as mum told us. Now in primary school, Matilda loves maths, chess and Pokémon. But nothing tops her love for princesses.

“Her personality summed up what her wish would be,” said Mum, “she's a princess herself.”

Matilda’s love for princesses not only stems from her personality but also from her time in hospital. Whilst undergoing harsh procedures, the lavish world of princesses offered her a piece of respite. As Mum told us, “At the beginning of treatment, we watched a lot of princess movies. It gave her a distraction from treatment and relaxed her. So, it was a sense of escapism.”

It’s no surprise that Matilda chose to be a princess for her wish!

The excitement that came with the build-up to the big day was massive for the five-year-old. “She was so excited she kept asking how many sleeps and told all her friends and teachers that she was going to be a princess at school!” explained Mum.

On the day of her wish, Princess Matilda and her family rode up to her royal abode, Ripley Castle, the way any princess should - in horse and carriage. “When we got to the castle for the first time when the lady said ‘this is yours for the day’ her little face lit up,” said Mum. After strolling the halls of her palace, it was time for Matilda’s princess lessons, where she learned all the do’s and don’ts of princess etiquette. Her highness was then treated to a magic show fit for a princess, before being treated to a well-deserved hot chocolate. In the afternoon the princess attended a photoshoot, snapping some pics with her royal steed and carriage, before heading off to an indulgent afternoon tea.

Later in the afternoon, the princess and her family embarked on a treasure hunt, discovering a wealth of riches hidden in the castle’s surrounding forest. The afternoon ended with a glamorous arts and crafts session, with the family heading to TGI Friday’s for dinner via limo.

For Matilda, her wish offered her a time where, for once, she didn’t have to think about cancer: “It was a day focused on her being a princess for a day, for her to forget about cancer was incredible.”

Wishes bring an urgently needed spark of joy into the lives of children like Matilda.