Making Wishes Come True
Round Table Children’s Wish has made the dreams of more than 1,300 children with life-threatenting illnesses come true. None of this would have been possible without the support of Round Table clubs around the country.
Round Table Children's Wish was founded by Round Table members in Dorset and Guernsey. The charity was registered in 1990, and it is now six people's full-time job to grant more than 100 wishes each year.
Helen Jeffery, Fundraising Manager for Round Table Children’s Wish, explains how important the involvement of The Round Table Movement is:
“The local Tables around the UK are a fantastic help, raising money for the charity and even helping grant some of the wishes."
Referrals for wishes can come from anyone, including Tablers, but typically hospitals will contact the charity if they know a child in their care would like a wish granting. A child who meets the criteria gets the chance to make three wishes, and while the charity tries their best to make the first one come true, if that’s not possible, they move on to the 2nd or 3rd.
“The idea is either to go somewhere special, do something special, meet someone special or have something special,” Helen said.
“For example, anything from a laptop to a garden playhouse or bedroom makeover. We have done all kinds of things over the years, including swimming with dolphins and special family holidays. Importantly, a wish often includes not only the poorly child, but their whole family, as we try to create special memories for all of them.
“My most memorable was the 1,300th wish we granted, which happened early in 2009. A nine-year-old girl who was suffering from ovarian cancer was presented with a sailing dinghy. It was amazing just to see her face and the impact it had on her family.
“Often you find the child and the family are thrilled just to have a diversion from their current problems, and doing something special is a great way to do that.”
Charities such as Round Table’s Children Wish simply wouldn’t exist without the support of local Round Table clubs. Join The Round Table Movement, and you too could help make some special wishes like these come true:
Ian wished for a new Laptop
Ian, 17, was referred to Round Table Children’s Wish by Southampton Hospital. He was diagnosed with a Ewing’s Sarcoma in his pelvis last October and is currently awaiting surgery. Ian asked for a laptop to help him keep in touch with friends and also with music editing. The charity knew that Ian was a huge Portsmouth FC Fan and wanted to meet the team so they arranged for Ian to have his Laptop presented at the Pompey training ground. Ian and his family were then able to watch the team train. After the team came off the pitch Peter Crouch presented Ian with his laptop. Ian was able to get his Portsmouth FC Shirt signed by the team. Ian hasn’t come back down to earth yet!
Emily wished she could see her best friend, Lucy, again.
Emily, 16, from Dorset was suffering from Osteosarcoma. Her Wish was to meet her best friend, Lucy who had emigrated to Australia. Emily couldn’t fly to Australia, but Round Table Children’s Wish organised a Christmas treat - Lucy was flown back to England for a fantastic two-week holiday with Emily. The girls had a fabulous time catching up with each other and friends. They went to the school concert and enjoyed shopping trips together.
Disney worked its magic for Zanib and family
When Zanib contacted us two years ago to ask for a wish, there was only one thing she wanted to do and that was to go to Disnleyland Paris. Zanib has had cystic fibrosis since birth and because of the severity of her condition was unable to fly so the family were sent 1st class by Eurostar.
The family had so much fun, especially when they got to share a few magical moments with the Disney characters. There were lots of smiles all round and happy memories that will last forever.
For more information about Round Table Children's Wish charity or fundraising, please visit the website or telephone 01202 514 515.
