Make-A-Wish

Why we chose Make-A-Wish Foundation^® UK?

In celebration of 2010 being our Chairman, Ray Peckett’s 65th year we announced his commitment to raise £65,000 for a fantastic charity called Make-A-Wish Foundation^® UK, which has a very simple objective – to grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

There are over 20,000 children in the UK living with a life-threatening illness. Make-A-Wish believes that every one of them deserves to experience the magic of a Make-A-Wish wish – and they are truly magical.

A small and dedicated team of professional wishgranters works alongside hundreds of volunteers to turn children’s wishes into reality. Whether a wish is to be a princess or a train driver for the day, own the latest TV or computer equipment, meet a favourite celebrity or just enjoy some special time away from home with their family, a wish come true brings so much to a child’s life and provides memories that last a lifetime for the whole family.

This year, around 1,200 children will turn to Make-A-Wish to have their special wish granted – the charity needs to raise over £5.5 million per year to continue granting these magical wishes.

Make-A-Wish receives no government funding or lottery grants, relying on the generous donations of the public and that’s why every donation really counts.

The Smiffy’s team are very proud to be able to take part in all sorts of fantastic fundraising events. This page will help you keep updated of our progress so please do keep visiting the site to hear about all the fun things we are doing to help grant the amazing wishes for very special children.

Please take a look at our wish stories that we have granted so far...

Our first wish story...

We are pleased to announce we raised enough money in our first month of fundraising to grant the wish for 14yr old Harry from Norfolk. Harry had always dreamt of meeting Father Christmas and this year with our donation, Harry’s dream came true! Harry, who is deaf and fighting an acute gut disorder called Short Bowel Syndrome, was flown out with his parents Katherine and Barry, and his brother Alex, to Rovaniemi Airport in Finland.
On arrival in Lapland, Harry and his family were kitted out in thermal clothing and whisked to a log cabin where they sat down to a welcome feast in anticipation of the forthcoming activities. The next day, Harry got to meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends on their farm, where he was issued with a Reindeer Driving Licence enabling him to steer their sleigh. They were then treated to a veritable snow safari and a speedy sled-ride by Siberian huskies.
The trip’s highlight came on Saturday when Harry got to hunt for Santa’s house through a winter forest wonderland. Harry was overjoyed to meet the real Father Christmas in person! This is just the first of many wishes we will help make happen this year!

Click below to see the other amazing wishes granted

Alice's Wish - To visit Venice with her family.

Callum's Wish - To Train a Police Dog

Natasha’s Wish – a Bedroom Sanctuary

Kenton's Wish - Wishing on a Star

George's Wish - Giraffe Adventure

Hanya's Wish - Dreams of Riding a Bicycle

Melisa's Wish - To Become a Safari Park Ranger

Stephen's Wish - To Drive a Train

Emily's Wish - To Swim with Dolphins

Donal's Wish - A Dream Playground