Make a Wish Foundation

Our mission statement: To grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses and raise the funds necessary to grant those wishes. In doing so, we operate to the highest ethical, legal and professional standards so that families choose Make-A-Wish to grant their child's wish and medical staff and supporters hold Make-A-Wish in high regard. Our mission statement: To grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses and raise the funds necessary to grant those wishes. In doing so, we operate to the highest ethical, legal and professional standards so that families choose Make-A-Wish to grant their child's wish and medical staff and supporters hold Make-A-Wish in high regard.

Camberley United Kingdom

• Make-A-Wish is a charity with a single purpose – we grant magical wishes to children and young people aged 3-17 fighting life-threatening illnesses.

• Since we were launched in 1986 the charity has granted over 6,400 wishes - 2011 is our 25th Anniversary.

• Over 20,000 children in the UK are living with a life-threatening illness, a figure validated by research commissioned by Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK. At a human level, we believe few things can be more important, or more deserving, than giving a seriously ill child the chance to have their wish come true, with all the hope, expectation and happiness that brings.

• For many families the Make-A-Wish memory can be the last happy memory they have of their child having fun in a magical world, surrounded by family and friends – rather than memories of days and weeks of painful treatments and hospitalisation. The memory of the wish may be of their child laughing and enjoying being a princess or zoo keeper for the day or meeting a favourite celebrity. In years to come, the family can look back and remember that special time.

• Make-A-Wish is expert in wishgranting; it is all that we do, each and every day.

• This year alone, 1,200 children will turn to us to have their special wish granted. We want to grant a wish to all of these.

• At present we are granting around 70 wishes a month and our ambition is to grant 85 wishes every month by the end of 2012.

• We need to raise at least £5.5 million this year if we are to realise this aim.

Make-A-Wish is about passion, expertise, trust and fairness. Our wishes are about magic, hope, smiles and memories.