Rays of Sunshine grants wishes for seriously ill children in the UK aged 3-18. Every day of the year the charity gives brave and deserving young people the chance to put their illness on hold and enjoy a moment of magic. The charity granted its first wish in 2004 and celebrated number 2,000 in September 2011.
Wishes can be as unique as the children themselves and whether a child wants to go on a family holiday, visit Disneyworld, own an iPad, be a car park attendant or meet a favourite celebrity Rays of Sunshine works hard to make that wish come true. The charity does not operate a waiting list but responds to all wish applications within two weeks of receipt.
Wishes are referred from around 150 hospitals, hospices and specialist schools across the country. The charity aims to grant 650 wishes in 2012.
Rays of Sunshine also organises large scale events throughout the year for seriously ill children including ‘The Sunshine Concert’, trips to theme parks and Christmas parties. A new hospital ward wish scheme was launched in January 2012 which will spread smiles to even more children.
For more information and to apply to have a wish granted, please visit www.raysofsunshine.org.uk
Emma’s daughter Eve was granted a wish to go to Disneyworld Florida. Eve is eight years old and living with Retinoblastoma. She said: “I just had to tell you about the difference that you have made to us. Eve got the confidence to get up on stage when we were at Give Kids the World during the talent show, well that confidence has stayed with her. She has started dressing differently, and even wears her hair down because she now believes that she is pretty. I cannot thank you enough. I know that holiday changed things for Eve. Thank you a million times.”