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Make-A-Wish UK

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Make-A-Wish UK

Every child deserves to wish for more than a life defined by illness ⭐️
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We're the charity that grants life-changing wishes for critically ill children between the ages of 3-17.

⭐ To find out how to apply for a wish, please visit our website here: https://bit.ly/3mbzsKs

⭐ Or to donate to make wishes come true, please click here: https://bit.ly/3iKu5Ac

04/06/2026

Every child deserves to wish for more than a life defined by critical illness. We’re so privileged to have Sian – as well as so many amazing volunteers – by our side, helping us to deliver more life-changing wishes.

If you’re already one of our wonderful Wish Makers – what’s been your favourite part about volunteering? Let us know in the comments ✏️

Or could you be our next Wish Maker? Find out more and sign up today: https://bit.ly/4dX1syf

02/06/2026

“We’re deeply grateful for giving Hephzibah a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a memory we will always cherish. On behalf of our family, thank you for making her dream come true.” – Kayode, Hephzibah’s dad. ✨

Today we’re sharing Hephzibah’s 10th birthday wish as written by her dad.

“Hephzibah didn’t know she had sickle cell disease. When her brother became unwell, we took him to the hospital and the doctors carried out a genotype test which confirmed that he had sickle cell disease. Following the doctor’s advice, we also got Hephzibah tested which found she also had the SS genotype, meaning she too has sickle cell disease. The diagnosis affected her emotionally.

“Knowing that this would become part of her daily life was difficult for her at first. However, after we took time to explain everything carefully, she gradually came to terms with it. She began attending her appointments and taking her medication as prescribed. Later, one of the nurses caring for her at Alder Hey Children's Hospital told us about Make-A-Wish UK. From that moment, Hephzibah became excited and began looking forward to making her wish. When the time came, she decided she wanted her 10th birthday to be celebrated in a very special way. We shared her wish with the Make-A-Wish team, and they made it happen beautifully. ⭐

“She celebrated her 10th birthday and was thrilled! Make-A-Wish UK gave her wonderful gifts, and every part of the celebration was planned with her involvement. She chose what she wanted to wear and the kind of party she wanted, which made her feel truly included in creating her dream day. On the day of the party, she was filled with joy. At the end, I asked her, “How was your day?” She said, “This is my best day ever.” As a father, those words touched me deeply. We truly believe this would not have been possible without Make-A-Wish UK.” 💙

01/06/2026

This Volunteers’ Week we’re celebrating the incredible people who help to make even more magical wishes possible ⭐

We’re so lucky to have hundreds of volunteers across the UK who give their time, helping wish children and their families when it’s needed most. Because a child's life shouldn't be about illness, hospitals and diagnosis – it should be about joy, wonder and hope.

Remember, no matter how little or often you volunteer, your time can grant wishes 💙

Find out more about becoming a Wish Maker today: https://bit.ly/4dX1syf

30/05/2026

Could you sprinkle a little extra magic over our wishes? ⭐️

Our amazing team sends every child their very own magical wish pack ahead of the day. It's filled with goodies chosen specially for them to enjoy as well as build excitement for their wish!

This is where you can help. Our Amazon Wish List has been created so you can choose something special for one (or more) of our wish children.

Every item donated brings joy and happiness, when it’s needed most.

Shop our list today: https://amzn.to/4dFcIAs

Thank you 💙

29/05/2026

When Stanley was just two years old, he was rushed to hospital after his mum, Dani, noticed that he wasn’t breathing properly. Later, Dani and dad, Toby, were told that both of his lungs had collapsed due to the weight of two large cysts that sat on his lungs. Following this, he received a diagnosis of pulmonary blastoma, a rare form of lung cancer.

Stanley has missed out on a lot of his childhood. When most two-year-olds were learning to walk, Stanley had a near-death experience. His mum told us:

“He’s three now and has lost over a year of his childhood. It's hard because you look at him and you have never met a happier child.

We will never be normal, but I just wanted them to have a few days of being kids and us being parents. I wanted to not worry about anything for five minutes.

When A Disney Wish came up, I just thought there's nothing better he could do.

I was able to watch my boys just be children for even a couple of days. Every single part of it was absolutely incredible. We didn't have a worry in the world!”

When spending time in hospital, Stanley would turn to Disney for a distraction, watching Monsters Inc. and other Disney classics on repeat.

Thanks to incredible support from Disney, Stanley and his brother Edward were able to forget about hospitals and simply have fun together 💙

And, with life often revolving around medical treatments, it also gave Stanley’s family a sense of hope. As mum shared:

“Without charities like Make-A-Wish, we wouldn't have anything to look forward to."

If A Disney Wish sounds like it might be a great wish for your young person, please do ask your health, social care or education partner to get in touch with us on your behalf by emailing our team on [email protected]

26/05/2026

To every single Postcode Lottery player, this is for you!

Since March 2024 you’ve helped to grant hundreds of wishes, creating lasting memories when they’re needed most. And we can’t thank you enough 💙

From VIP shopping sprees to celebrate the end of treatment to dream trips to LEGOLAND and Peppa Pig World, and many more unforgettable experiences, you’ve given critically ill children and their families the chance to create precious memories together.

With your help, we are granting more wishes than ever before, but demand continues to grow at a heartbreaking pace. Postcode Lottery players continuing their support for a third year will help us reach more children sooner.

Because of you, more children will experience the life-changing power of a wish. Thank you ⭐

20/05/2026

"Arabella and her sisters were so inspired, with all three telling us they want to become a nurse, or a scientist or doctor one day! We are so proud of Arabella taking this opportunity give back to the amazing team in her own special way” - Maria, Arabella’s mum.

Seven-year-old Arabella lives with leukaemia. After months of intensive chemotherapy, she’s now in the maintenance phase of treatment, taking daily oral chemo, with regular hospital visits and three-monthly lumbar punctures.

When Arabella was referred for a wish, she knew exactly what she wanted. Inspired by the brilliant nurses who cared for her during her treatment, she wishes ‘to be a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity' ✨

Mum Maria told us: “Arabella’s been incredibly brave throughout her treatment, especially with her portacath access procedures, so it was really emotional hearing her say she wanted to help other children in the same way the nurses have helped her.” 💙

On the day of her wish, Arabella got to practice port access procedure with the play and Intravenous Therapy teams, learn how chemotherapy medicines like the ones she has are prepared with the pharmacy team and then also caring for a patient in the simulation centre! She was not only expertly guided by the nurses, but the GOSH therapy dogs joined her through the day too! 🐶

A big thank you to everyone who helped make Arabella’s wish come true ✨

19/05/2026

It's been three weeks since the first-ever Wishes United and we're still not over it! ⚽

Our 11 young footie fans got to meet Premier League Players, take part in a VIP tour, player briefing, training sessions and received personalised kits and boots. All of this was made possible by the generosity and dedication of some extraordinary people. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to say a huge thank you for all they did. ⭐

We couldn't have done it without them 👇
Mason Mount, Lianne Sanderson, Hilton at St. George's Park, Nando's, Ignite Live, EA SPORTS FC, FORZA, Square Fish Events, Voss Water, TOPPS, FANATICS, Trophy Store, Megaflatables, Foot Air, Mizuno Football, SFL Mobile Radio, Gap Group Hire, Shades by Niko, Crayola, Grafit Display Hire, Ouno, Inspire Events & Productions, Lacey Grace Design, Mitre Sports, Shoot4Goal, Vox Group Global and The KitBox Gifts.

14/05/2026

April was another magical month of wish granting, thanks to you 💙

A total of 139 wishes were granted, bringing hope and joy to children and their families when it’s needed most. And it’s only possible thanks to our incredible partners, fundraisers, volunteers, and all our amazing .

Thank you for helping to make more wishes come true ⭐

13/05/2026

Ten-year-old Toby lives with mitochondrial disease, meaning he has highly complex medical needs. Part of this means he experiences regular epilepsy episodes where he stops breathing and needs oxygen. Toby is also non-verbal and has a cortical visual impairment, making everyday life incredibly challenging for him and his family.

Despite this, Toby is full of love and finds joy in the simplest moments, especially sensory play and cuddles with his family. After being referred to Make-A-Wish, his family thought lots about what kind of experience would bring Toby the most happiness. With fond memories of a past caravan holiday, they decided a break away together would be perfect, somewhere inclusive where Toby could enjoy activities alongside his sisters, Nieve and Rosie. 💙

His wish took them to Butlin’s Minehead, where the whole family could relax, have fun and, most importantly, make special memories together. From the activities to the food and accommodation, it was a trip filled with joy for everyone, especially Toby, who loved every moment!

“It was absolutely brilliant and we definitely achieved the goal of making more memories. Toby loved it and his sisters had the time of their lives. It was just brilliant. We’re so grateful.” ⭐

Address

Seventh Floor, Thames Tower, Station Road
Reading
RG11LX

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441276405060

Website

http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/

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