Volunteers needed for Wish Day

A CHARITY that makes wishes come true for seriously ill children is looking for Northside volunteers to support its national fundraising day.

Make-A-Wish is looking for volunteers at locations across Dublin for Wish Day, which will take place on Friday, March 13.

The children’s charity is urgently seeking support to help grant ‘rush wishes’ for children with a life expectancy of less than nine months.

Wish Day began in 2013 and the event has grown each year since then with thanks to Make-A-Wish volunteers and the public. 

Last year’s event raised more than €60,000 which was vital for the granting of wishes.

In 2019 Make-A-Wish granted the wishes of 44 children in Dublin, as well as 137 wishes of other seriously ill children across Ireland. 

Funds raised this Wish Day will help the charity to grant more magical wishes for children in Dublin who are living with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, leukaemia and cognitive heart conditions. 

Make-A-Wish understands that a granted wish can have a lasting impact on the life of a child, bringing them and their families hope, happiness and a welcome change from the drudgery of medical treatment. 

The chairty does not receive any Government funding and is solely dependent on the generosity of the public to continue granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Ireland.

According to Make-A-Wish Ireland, children's wishes can range from being a superhero for the day or meeting their idol, to going on a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday. 

Wherever possible, the child’s family is invited to share in the wish experience.

 This helps to create lasting memories for the family, the wider local community and all of those involved in granting the wish.

Make-A-Wish Ireland chief executive Susan O’Dwyer said: “To date, we have granted more than 2,600 wishes for Irish children. 

“This would not be possible without the support of the Irish public, but we need your help to continue granting wishes. 

“If you could spare a couple of hours on March 13, you will be making a life-changing difference to a seriously ill child and their family, in your community.”

For information about how to volunteer, contact Stephen or Claire at Make-A-Wish on 01-2052007 or email volunteer@makeawish.ie