Charity appeals to Dubs to help on ‘Wish Band Day’

MAKE-A-WISH, the charity that grants the wishes of children aged between three and 17 is appealing to Dubliners to volunteer for its annual

‘Wish Band Day’ which takes place on Thursday, April 16.

The charity that helps children living with life-threatening illnesses such as Leukaemia, Cystic Fibrosis, and congenital heart diseases has a waiting list of over 200 eligible children already this year.

They need your help as they are struggling to grant all the wishes on its waiting list.

Head of Fundraising at Make-A-Wish, Irene Timmins, said:

“Make-A-Wish is so grateful for the support of our wonderful volunteers who are giving up a few hours of their day to sell wristbands in their local area on April 16.

“We need to raise as much money as possible to ensure that we can create extraordinary moments for children battling serious illness.

“We receive no Government funding and rely solely on the generosity of the public and corporate donations, so the success of this event is vital for the charity.

“We are appealing to the people of Dublin to join our community of volunteers for Wish Band Day and help us make a real difference in a child’s life.

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Wish Child, Ondrej Byrtusova (6) who is living with Hypoplastic Left-Heart Syndrome, a condition that prevents the flow of blood in the heart, had his wish to train a killer-whale granted last year.

His mother Vlaska supports the Make-A-Wish volunteer appeal.

“The day Ondrej had his wish come true is the nicest moment ever when I saw my son so happy and joyful,

? she recalled.

“The whale’s name was Malia which means

‘The Gift from God’.

Ondrej was absolutely brilliant showing her how to turn, kiss him, and shake her tongue and make bubbles.

“I will never stop being thankful and grateful to the people who donate to Make-A-Wish and gave my son and our family so much joy and hope.

“If anyone can volunteer they will give much joy to a child and family like ours.

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Make-A-Wish works very closely with all of the hospitals throughout the country that provide medical care to children including Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin and the Central Remedial Clinic, Clontarf.

Since its inception in Ireland in 1992, Make-A-Wish Ireland has granted wishes to over 1,700 brave children.

To volunteer visit www.makeawish.ie, call Mark on 01 2052012 or email [email protected]