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How
children’s wishes have changed over the years
PLAY-STATIONS
and MP3 players are some of today’s favourite requests to
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK from children fighting life-threatening
illnesses. However, back in the mid-80s, when the charity started,
children’s tastes were rather different.
The changes over the years have been recorded by Make-A-Wish to mark
its 21st anniversary, being celebrated in early June 2008 with a
line-up of events, activities and wishes. Since 1986, Make-A-Wish
has granted some 4,800 magical wishes to children across the UK and
expects to grant its 5,000th wish later this year.
Back in the mid-80s, children with life-threatening illnesses asked
if they could meet TV characters such as the A-team. The early 90s
saw Philip Schofield and Gordon the Gopher as favourite requests and
then, as the popularity of the Australian soap Neighbours grew,
children became fascinated by all-things Australian with Jason
Donovan and Kylie Minogue topping the wish lists. Visiting the set
in Melbourne or holding a Koala bear became regular requests.
Meeting Kylie has remained a constant wish, as has small boys
wanting to ride in fast vehicles or meet their favourite football
team, while little girls still want to be princesses or have their
bedrooms redecorated.
Rather different requests have included a wish to take tea with
(then) Prime Minister John Major, a desire to have a curry with boy
band Take That; renovate an old John Deere tractor and a wish to
visit the forensic laboratory at Scotland Yard.
“Since a small group of people formed Make-A-Wish Foundation
UK in Camberley, Surrey 21 years ago to give young Anthony from
Liverpool his dearest wish to see Disney World, we have set our
sights on granting more and more wishes” says Neil Jones,
Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish. “Whatever the request, we make
every effort to ensure that both the child and the family have the
best experience they can possibly imagine. We have proved over the
years the enormous benefits that our wishes provide giving something
positive for the family to look forward to and leaving a treasured
memory.”
Make-A-Wish has plans for a magical party on the London Eye, the
granting of 21 wishes on their celebratory day, tea with Sarah Brown
at No.10 Downing Street and a collection of good-luck messages from
the hundreds of stars and celebrities who have generously given up
their time to give a child that special moment.
Make-A-Wish 21st anniversary - 10
June 2008 |
Make a difference with Make-A-Wish
MAKE-A-WISH
Foundation UK is calling on the people of Liverpool to volunteer for
the leading wishgranting charity and help grant wishes for children
and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses in the
Liverpool area.
The charity was founded in1986 in Camberley, Surrey. The very first
wish was for Anthony, a young Liverpudlian boy who desperately
wanted to go to Disney World. Liverpool remains one of the
UK’s busiest areas for wish requests, but needs more volunteers
prepared to visit the children and help grant their wishes.
Volunteers are welcome from a variety of backgrounds and with a
range of skills. From simple things like helping to run a coffee
morning or taking part in a fun run, to helping out with admin and
making a vital contribution to the wishgranting process itself.
Working in their local area, volunteers are asked to give
approximately 8 – 10 hours per month on a flexible basis of days,
evenings or weekends. In return, they will receive full training, as
well as the opportunity to meet new people and be part of something
truly unique – providing children and their families with magical
memories that will last a lifetime.
Local artist, Tony Brown will be auctioning a portrait of Paul
McCartney from his exhibition, “100 Heads Thinking As One” at
Make-A-Wish’s Christmas Ball at The Dorchester, London in November.
For more about Tony and his work, visit
www.100heads.co.uk.
Francesca Towson, Northern England Regional Manager at Make-A-Wish
Foundation UK says:- “We are inviting creative, enthusiastic,
fun loving individuals who would like to help us do something truly
special. If you’re interested you can get in touch now and help us
grant magical wishes in Liverpool and across Northern England.
Volunteers are vital to the success of Make-A-Wish’s work in
providing magical experiences to children fighting life-threatening
illnesses. Just knowing that our wishes make a significant
difference in the fight against their illness by allowing children
and their families to forget the hospital visits, doctors and
medication, if only for a short time, inspires and motivates us to
grant more wishes than ever before.”
For more information on volunteering with Make-A-Wish, please
contact Francesca Towson on 01904 567 319 or email
volunteering@make-a-wish.org.uk.
Online application forms are also available at
www.make-a-wish.org.uk. |
