Wish stories

A complicated launch 

Riley had a tough start to life. He was born after a complex labour weighing just a tiny three pounds, eight ounces. He needed surgery to fix a hole in his oesophagus which meant it was an agonising three days before his mum, Rachel, could give him a kiss, and four days before their first cuddle. 

Then, Riley contracted pneumonia several times before he turned five and was treated in intensive care. His sister, Ruby, was also born with problems with her oesophagus and trachea - a condition that affects just one in 5,000 children. These issues changed their family's lifestyle as well as their mindset and meant childhood took on a very different hue.

After all the complications and operations, he’s been through, Riley and his family wanted to share an experience that would create positive memories outside of hospital and - for Riley - something out of this world!

After seeing pictures of space on a game he was playing, Riley told his family his ambition was to be an astronaut. From that moment on, he became obsessed with the idea of meeting one to find out what it was really like. So, when he turned to us, that's what he chose for his wish and who better to meet than Britain’s own spaceman Major Tim Peake! 

On the day of his wish, Riley got to ask Tim all the questions that he and his school friends and thought up. He listened to an exclusive recording of the roar of a rocket launch and was given badges that had actually been to space and back!

Rachel said: “The last time he laughed like when he met Tim Peake was when he got his telescope. He only does that excited laugh when he gets something he really wants.” 

Thanks to support from the fabulous Scouts community, Riley's Wishgranter was able to book Riley's meeting with his idol in a fabulous room and he was initially so starstruck he was lost for words! But he was soon put at ease.

Written in the stars

Riley’s family have learnt precious lessons from their struggles which we could all apply:

• “Take the little things and make them big because you may not get them again.”
• “Everything is worth celebrating: every day; every hour; every minute.”
• “Turn negatives into positives. Look at the smiles on your loved ones faces.”

Thank you to everyone who made Riley’s wish possible. It takes an army of supporters, volunteers and fundraisers to make each wish a life-changing reality. Join us as we strive to grant a wish for every eligible child.