Olympic memories will live on for 53 children
News release for immediate use
Thursday 16 August 2012
For 53 children from all over the world, attending the London 2012 Olympics was not just an unforgettable experience – it was a distraction from painful treatment, a break from endless hospital appointments, an opportunity to spend precious time together as a family and a chance to create some truly magical memories…
The children, who came with their families from all over the US, Europe and Canada, were given the opportunity to attend after asking Make-A-Wish to grant their Olympic wishes. Between them they watched 25 sports, over 113 events and saw a number of records being broken – including a record for the charity. In Make-A-Wish history no other event has seen such a high level of demand.
16 year old Annie Clements, from Guildford, was one of six children from the UK who had her Olympic wish fulfilled. Diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure in 2010, Annie was donated a kidney by her Dad, Stephen, in July 2011. Her Mum, Katy, explained that the family didn’t get a summer last year, due to Annie being hospitalised after the transplant for five solid weeks, so this summer and the Olympic trip were extra special.
Joel Sheldon, seven, from Walsall also had his Olympic wish granted after being diagnosed with Medulloblastoma last year. His Mum, Louise Butler, said: “Joel chose to go to the Olympics because he would one day like to take part. He was fascinated with the Archery and now wants an archery set! Seeing him well enough to enjoy his wish was just amazing.”
Joanne Micklewright, Head of Wishgranting at Make-A-Wish Foundation UK said: “We are thrilled to have been able to grant so many wishes during the Olympic period. It’s been an unforgettable experience for Make-A-Wish and we hope that all the children and their families created some truly magical memories.”
There are currently 20,000 children and young people in the UK fighting a life-threatening condition and this year alone 1,400 children will turn to Make-A-Wish to have their wish granted. The charity needs to raise £6.8 million in 2012 and receives no government funding or lottery grants – so every donation really does count.
To make a donation to Make-A-Wish please visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk or telephone 01276 40 50 60.
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For more information about this news release please contact:
Hayley Epps: T: 01276 405093 M: 07557563214 E: hayley.epps@makeawish.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. More case studies and photos available if required and the families are available for interview.
2. Make-A-Wish UK is not affiliated in any way with the Olympics or the London Olympic Games. The stories of our wish children attending the Olympic Games in London are truthful portrayals of their experiences and are not intended to imply partnership with either of the aforementioned organisations, nor of either organisation with any current Make-A-Wish sponsors or partners.
3. Please note that Make-A-Wish does not use phrases such as ‘terminally ill’ in order to respect the sensitive nature of life-threatening conditions and what they mean to children and young people and their families. We would ask that this approach is followed and that the term ‘life-threatening conditions’ is used in material for publication.
4. Make-A-Wish should be referred to as Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK in the first instance. Thereafter ‘Make-A-Wish’ or ‘Make-A-Wish Foundation’ is suitable. We would ask that you try to keep ‘Make-A-Wish’ on the same line.
5. Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. The charity was founded in the UK in 1986. Registered charity number: 295672/SC037479 www.make-a-wish.org.uk.
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