Watch to see the magic of a wish in real life! ✨
Malakai, age eight was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma but we recently granted his wish ‘to go to Legoland!’
“We were honestly blown away by this day! Make-A-Wish UK truly made it a time to remember; we can’t thank them enough for the gift of a lifetime of experiences we never thought would be possible for Malakai. Just the most epic family memories for all of us!” – Meghan, Malakai’s mum.
All families deserve the chance to create magical memories together – this is why wishes matter. This Christmas, you can give a child the chance to believe, hope and dream big again.
Donate now via the link in our bio – thank you.
Part of this wish was made possible thanks to @merlinsmagicwandofficial
Swipe to paint with budding artist, Lassyhani! 🎨
As we look towards the @artofwishes Gala happening this October, we’re sharing her story as told by mum Nalini.
“In July 2021, Lassyhani was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Her treatment lasted until December 2023. It was an incredibly painful and exhausting journey, both emotionally and physically, for the both of us. We spent long stretches in hospital, including Christmas and Easter, and were often in isolation due to infection control.
“During these isolating and difficult times, the hospital’s play team and supporting charities made the biggest difference, offering art and craft activities that lifted our spirits. Art became our escape, especially for Lassyhani.
“She has always dreamed of selling her artwork, not for herself, but to raise money for children and mothers going through what we experienced. Even at her young age, she has a giving heart. She once said to me in the most innocent way: ‘I will draw and sell my artwork. You can use the money to help other children, and I can keep a little to buy more materials.’”
For her wish, Lassyhani had six, one-hour art lessons all focused on different style and techniques of painting and drawing. 🖼️
“Her most recent art session on July 2nd was a truly special moment. She completed a beautiful oil pastel painting of a flower with her mentor, Fiona.
"After the session, she turned to me and asked, ‘Mum, do you think someone would buy this painting?’ It was such a touching and hopeful question, one that reminded me just how far she’s come.
"Thanks to Make-A-Wish, you’ve given Lassyhani more than just a wish. You’ve given her a future to look forward to, and a creative outlet to express herself, heal, and grow. Drawing is not just her passion. It’s now a vital part of her well-being.
"Thank you for giving her this lifetime gift.”
“It was terminal from day one.” - Emily, Joel’s Mum.
Around Easter of 2023, Joel woke up with a squint in his eye and his balance was off. After visiting the doctors, Joel was sent for a CT scan and they found a swelling in his brain. Following a two week hospital stay filled with investigations, Joel was devastatingly diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour.
Unfortunately, radiotherapy treatment was unsuccessful, and Joel's tumour continued to grow. “His body was failing him, he couldn’t talk or communicate the way he was used to. The tumour switched him from being right-handed to left-handed which he found hard as he couldn’t draw what he wanted, so we drew for him.” Towards the end of his life, Joel couldn't speak at all but as mum told us, resilient Joel “didn’t complain and got on with each day.”
“He would spend hours drawing castles and guards,” said mum. The family thought that a day spent at Windsor Castle would be the perfect wish and opportunity to make precious memories whilst they still could.
On his wish day, Joel spent the day with treatment fit for a prince. After arriving by limo, Joel and his family were greeted by Sam, the Captain of the Guards. Throughout the day, they were immersed in a world of castles, royalties, and guards, as they were given VIP access to all the castle’s facilities.
Sadly, just days after his wish, Joel passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by his loved ones: “he kept going until he couldn’t anymore.”
Too many families are spending this Christmas waiting for their wish to come true. Only with your support can we grant their wish. Donate today via the link in our bio.
“We’re really thankful to the people who organised the wish so quickly. If it had been any later he wouldn’t have been able to experience it in the same way.”
For Joel and his family, his wish came at a time when memory-making moments were urgently needed. As Mum told us “It can really impact those last moments quite beyond what you expect.” Now, Isla, mum, and dad can reminisce on the happy memories they made with Joel in his final days.
#Christmas #BrainCancer #Wish #WindsorCastle
This #InternationalDayofFamilies, we're sharing Keoni's wish 💙
8-year-old Keoni is from Switzerland and his wish was to go to Scotland on holiday with his family. But it was so much more than a holiday. It was precious time spent together, made extra special by a trip to the beach, which wouldn’t have been possible without an accessible wheelchair.
Keoni lives with pulmonary hypertension, a serious condition that causes high blood pressure in the blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs. Hot weather can worsen symptoms, but the cooler climate in Scotland made it the perfect holiday destination.
His parents told us: "We are deeply grateful that we could create such wonderful memories with all our children."
Thank you @makeawishswitzerland and @makeawishuk for working together to make this wonderful wish come true.
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 #WishHeroes.
Thank you for helping to make more wishes come true ⭐
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.” ⭐
One team. One manager. Eleven wishes - granted ⚽
It’s been one week since @masonmount lined up the first-of-its-kind Wishes United squad for a two-day immersive wish experience at the world-class St George’s Park. The young footie fans met Premier League players and took part in VIP training sessions before they hit the pitch as the special edition squad.
For many children, serious illness can leave them feeling sidelined. Kickabouts in the park are replaced by hospital stays. Training sessions give way to appointments, and match-day excitement gets traded for treatment days. Wishes United changed that, giving them the chance to get back in the game and to experience the joy of childhood again.
To find out more about Wishes United, head over to @makeawishuk ’s bio ⭐
A Frozen Wish come true 💙
Back in 2022, following multiple heart operations, Eadie’s Frozen wish took her to see Disney's Frozen The Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Now a @makeawishuk Alumni, Eadie was invited as a special guest to the opening of World of Frozen at Disney Adventure World, Disneyland Paris ❄️
A statement from Wishes United FC manager @masonmount
The past two days are something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.
Together with @makeawishuk , we created a special football experience for 11 incredible kids and their families, giving them the chance to eat, sleep and train like a footballer at St George’s Park.
Seeing the smiles, the energy, and the team come together was really special. These are memories that will stay with the families and with me forever. Football’s given me so much growing up, so to be able to give something back like this means everything.
Thank you to everyone who made it happen: @Hiltonsgp@nandosuk@igniteliveuk@easportsfc@findyourforza@mizunofootballofficial@squarefishevents
Generosity and glamour came together at A Night of Wishes on Thursday, creating a ripple effect that will be felt long after the final applause.
Thanks to your support, we raised over £500,000 helping ensure more children with critical illnesses receive the life‑changing wishes they urgently need.
A wish is not a one‑off experience. It brings strength during the hardest days, joy in the present, and treasured memories that stay with families long into the future. This is The Wish Effect – and you made it possible.
We were honoured to be joined by hosts @rachelrileyrr and @realbrianconley with unforgettable performances from @heathersmallmpeople , @astonmerrygold , @sixthemusical , @oliverbmagic , @westendkids and dancing the night away with our DJ @tobyanstis .
Thank you to our event sponsor, supporters, prize donors, our incredible committee and everyone who attended. And a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers – we couldn't do it without you.
Together, you are helping to create joy, strength, and hope when it is needed most. 💙✨
Team #WishHero you did it ⭐
What an incredible day. We hugged. We high-fived. We definitely cried. And we are absolutely bursting with pride.
Thank you to each and every one of you for being part of our team. You now have permission from us to sit down for a week!
Would you like to join us next year? Apply now at our link in our bio 🏃
@londonmarathon #LondonMarathon #WishHeroes
Dedicated to the @makeawishuk children who inspire us all.💙 #DisneyWeekOfWishes
In “Drawn to You,” a new Make-A-Wish x Disney brand spot, one child’s everyday drawings reveal her most heartfelt wish.
