Wish stories

Sara’s early years were clouded by confusion and pain due to hearing and feeding issues. “She was really unwell before her feeding tube was fit. She even had pneumonia at one point and was in a lot of pain,” said mum. But when the toddler was fit with hearing aids the world of music opened up:

“The only thing that helped was this CD that I found that came in a newspaper. I put it on and instantly the tension she held when she was in pain went away. That CD was by a woman called Jackie Oates. Her music was a form of medicine.”

With Sara’s fifth birthday fast approaching, mum knew that a birthday party with her family and Jackie Oates would be perfect for the folk music fan. “I messaged Jackie on Facebook telling her about Sara and we formed a friendship. I then reached out to Make-A-Wish to see if they could help make the party happen. Although I already knew Jackie, Make-A-Wish contacted her and organised the whole birthday party!”

Living in Scotland at the time, family, friends, and of course Jackie travelled up to see the birthday girl - a highlight for Sara:

“Sara was already in her element having so many people around her. When Jackie played one of her songs Sara was over the moon! She sat transfixed for an hour and a half just mesmerised by her music!”

The wish came at a crucial time. Although Sara’s condition wasn't terminal, she would pass away just before her sixth birthday due to Sudden Infant Death (SID). “Just a few days after Christmas, on 5th January 2016, she passed away in her sleep. She was meant to go back to school that day. It was so hard for me to get my head around. We thought we would have her for a while. We took her to Paris that Christmas; we didn’t know it would be her last.”

Unknowing to Mum at the time, Sara’s wish would mark the last time Sara would be together with her loved ones: “Thank goodness we had that wish. It gave the wider family a last chance to see her before she passed. I’m so grateful for that.”

The one wish we can’t guarantee is more time, but only with your support can we grant wishes like Sara’s.

Now Catherine has a source of happiness that will stick with her and all that attended Sara’s wish forever: “What it brought to the entire family, that happy memory that we can always talk about, is priceless.”