World Wish Day

Make-A-Wish has existed since 1980 to give children a chance to dream big even when they might not have long to live.  World Wish Day celebrate the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish.  In 1980, a seven-year-old boy called Chris Greicius was being treated for leukaemia in America. He dreamed of becoming a police officer one day, so members of Chris' local community rallied round to make his wish come true – just days before he died.

Following Chris’s amazing day, the idea quickly spread and in 1986, Make-A-Wish UK was established by a group of six volunteers. We’re now one of many affiliates in nearly 50 countries and we celebrate that first wish on "World Wish Day" on April 29th every year.

Since then, we have gone on to grant thousands of wishes that have the power to turn tears into cheers, rescuing the magic of childhood even in their toughest times and providing a lifeline for families to spend precious time together. One child every hour is diagnosed with a critical illness that makes them eligible for a wish in the UK. Our only goal has been and will always be to grant wishes and ensure a child can wish for more than a life defined by illness. 

Art of Wishes x Carolina Bucci

We are delighted to announce a collaboration with jewellery brand, Carolina Bucci. Three limited-edition Art of Wishes Lucky bracelets featuring charms designed by a wish child will launch on World Wish Day on 29th April 2025. The bracelets can be purchased from carolinabucci.com and her London store. Each bracelet costs £195 with £100 from each bracelet sold going to Make-A-Wish UK.