A charity that grants wishes to seriously ill children says its urgent referrals have more than doubled since the pandemic began.
Make-A-Wish UK, supported this year by the Mirror’s Christmas Appeal, says there are 63,000 children living with a critical illness.
The charity estimates it would cost £180million to grant a wish to every child who is eligible.
Jason Suckley, chief executive of the charity, says it is suspending referrals every month because they are coming in so fast.
He said: “The last 18 months have been extremely challenging.
“We’re now at a crucial tipping point where we need the country’s support to provide light and joy to those who have had their childhoods stolen by the diagnosis of a critical condition.
"It was heartbreaking when we had to suspend referrals over lockdown.
“We never want to be in a position where we have to say no to a family and their child again. We urge everyone who can to get involved.”
Before the pandemic the charity handled seven urgent referrals a month, a figure that has now doubled.
Make-A-Wish says Covid restrictions, which have affected its ability to grant kids’ wishes, also resulted in a 40% reduction in income across 2020/21.
To drive donations and help fill the funding gap, the charity launched its “tap to donate” Wish Tree at the Make-A-Wish Ball in London on Saturday.
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern performed some magic at the bash for delighted young Mikey.
The tree, which illuminates with each new donation, will be travelling to other
locations throughout December.
The charity has launched a Light Up the Darkness campaign to raise awareness of its desperate need for funds.
How to donate
Online: www.make-a-wish.org.uk/mirror
Text: To donate £5 text the word LIGHT to 70030
If you’d like to give £5 but do not want marketing communications, text LIGHT NO to 70030 .
You can text more than once if you wish to
donate more.
Post: Please post cheques payable to
MAKE-A-WISH UK to the Freepost address below:
Freepost Plus RUCS-LHTL-CJGU
Make-A-Wish Mirror Appeal,
Make-A-Wish UK, Seventh Floor, Thames Tower, Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LX
