Families are backing an urgent appeal to help a wish-granting charity at risk of losing vital funds during the coronavirus outbreak.
When You Wish Upon a Star is well-known for its annual Christmas trip to Lapland, creating magical memories for children and their families.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Nottingham-born charity which has granted more than 18,000 magical wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.
To celebrate the milestone, the charity was planning a host of events throughout the year to help raise crucial funds.
But due to restrictions from coronavirus, the events have been cancelled or postponed until next year.
The impact of these cancellations means around £500,000 of the charity’s fundraising income is at risk meaning the ability to grant a child’s wish is now also under immediate threat.
One mum who knows how important these wishes are to families, is secondary school teacher, Samantha Rollings of Woodthorpe.
In 2017, Mrs Rolling's one-year-old daughter Edith was diagnosed with cancer that spread to numerous parts of her body.
Thankfully, after going through around four months of treatment, Edith was nearing the point of the all clear.
Mrs Rollings, 34, said: "It was a friend that recommended When You Wish to me, but I wasn't sure if they would accept Edith because she was nearly cancer-free.
"But I contacted a co-ordinator and they said 'whatever you want, we'll do our best'.
"We were able to go on a family trip to Cornwall because of the charity - but it wasn't just the financial aspect. They were so brilliant with Edith and always made a fuss of her.
"We will forever support them because they do so much good.
"The fact they can grant any wish is magical, but its also the sense of hope it gives people. It's something to look forward to.
"It allows families to make memories - for some less fortunate than us, it's possibly their last big memory together.
"I can't put into words all the emotions you feel as a family fearing the worst, but these wishes offer the chance to be normal and just enjoy your time together.
"It's left us with a happy memory after everything we went through."
Diane Hummerston, Head of Fundraising at When You Wish Upon a Star, said: “We are devastated that we have had to postpone our special 30th Anniversary events this year as this will have a direct impact on our ability to grant the wishes of so many deserving children across the UK.
"The children were so looking forward to their wishes and are naturally very sad that we will not be able to fulfil them unless we are able to raise the income.
"At a time of uncertainty for everyone, we are asking our amazing supporters and general public to just give what they can – every donation will take us one step closer to granting our children’s wishes and bringing a smile back to their faces."
If you would like to support When You Wish upon a Star’s appeal, visit www.covid19wishappeal.org.uk.
