There are 49,000 children and young people living in the UK with a serious or life-limiting illness. This figure is increasing every year.

Rays of Sunshine is a UK registered charity that grants wishes to children, aged three to 18 years old, living with serious or life-limiting illnesses.  They believe that every child deserves to experience happiness and put their illness on hold – even if it is just for one day. Their vision is to make wishes come true and turn them in to happy memories.

They do this by:-

1. -Granting children’s individual wishes, however impossible the wish may seem

2. -Granting hospital ward wishes

3. -Organising events and outings for large groups of seriously ill children, such as a trip to Legoland and the Rays of Sunshine Concert

Wishes are as unique as children themselves. They give a child the chance to forget  their illness and do something they could only dream of. Wishes make a child feel extra-special and bring them hope and happiness. They also provide families with treasured memories of happy times to look back on. 

Whether a child wants to be a princess or a fireman for a day, go to Disneyland, visit Santa in Lapland, own an iPad or meet their favourite pop star, Rays of Sunshine works hard to make that wish come true.

Here’s How Rays of Sunshine make magical wishes come true:

1. -Children who are living with a serious or life-limiting illness think of a wish

2. -A wish application is completed on behalf of the child

3. -They take the completed application to their Appeals committee within two to four weeks of receipt

4. -The family are informed which wish has been granted and…

5. -The wish is turned into a happy memory giving the child and their family an unforgettable experience, and break from their daily routine of medication and hospital appointment