Women's Fellowship Events at
St Peter's Church Farnborough, Hampshire
Church of England, Diocese of Guildford

Barbara (pictured right) told us how “Make a Wish” started in the UK in 1986 after it had been started in Phoenix USA in 1980.  It is run on a voluntary basis from the head office in London Road, Camberley. When they began they granted about four or five wishes in the first years; now the total since the start is 5,600 wishes and in 2009 alone they have given 900-1000.

She said as a volunteer she feels very privileged to be able to help the children and young adults, who range from three to seventeen years old. Some are very sick, some in remission and some still receiving treatment. Most of them have spent a long time in hospital and have learnt to cope with considerable pain and discomfort, yet remaining positive and cheerful. Their illness means huge changes have to be made by their families. Often they have to go to Oxford or the Royal Marsden, Sutton several times a week, sometimes just for 5 minutes of treatment.

Children get referred to “Make a Wish” by nursing staff, family, friends and neighbours. It is special for the child but it does include the whole family. A wish really gives them hope that there is something in the future.

Volunteers spend time discussing with the child what sort of wish they would like. The child is invited to make three wishes, so that one, usually their first choice, can be granted. Sometimes their wishes are very simple, like owning a food mixer, but Make a Wish can make them extra special. There are four main types of wish:

1. Wish to meet someone eg usually either a celebrity or a sports person.
2. Wish to own something, eg a computer
3. Wish to go somewhere, eg the London Eye
4. Wish to be someone eg Batman

To finish, Barbara showed us photographs of some children and their wishes which were granted.  A boy aged four wanted to have a Batman party with friends, and Batman and Batwoman joined in. A limousine had been converted for the day into a Batmobile.  Another boy aged 10 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy loved speed and adventure; he had a great day out with his brother on a Quadbike course. Hope wanted to be a princess for the day. She went to a castle and there to meet her was Snow White. She had a banquet with her friends and a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.  The last one was a boy aged 6 who was a Fulham supporter who had non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was taken to Craven Cottage and to his surprise his all school pals were also there and they had a coaching day with the Fulham football Coach.