Make-A-Wish UK is pleased to announce a new record for the number of wishes granted in one month, the third time it has broken the record this year!
In October, Make-A-Wish UK fulfilled 70 magical wishes for children and their families, the new highest number of wishes granted in one month since Make-A-Wish was founded in the UK, back in 1986.
This is excellent news as the charity continues to work towards its aim of granting a magical wish to every one of the approximately 20,000 children living in the UK with a life-threatening illness.
Included in those 70 wishes was a young boy’s wish to meet 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Motor racing mad Callum, aged 14 and from Reading, has a condition called Mitochondrial Disease that causes muscle weakness and diminished vision. His wish took place at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking where the team’s cars are designed and tested. Together with parents Heather and Christopher and sisters Rebecca and Molly, he was treated to a backstage tour of McLaren’s laboratories and an excellent lunch in the centre’s cafeteria, before it was time for the day’s main event!
Lewis, taking a break from this very important season for him, arrived at the Centre in characteristic high-octane style – by helicopter – before spending time discussing his dazzling experiences as a Formula One driver, admitting to a star-struck and very happy Callum that he used to think about racing all the time as a boy, even when he should have been focusing on his studies. He said: “I am so happy to have met Callum and his family. I think what Make-A-Wish does for children is awesome.”
Callum’s Mum Heather said: “Today has been amazing. In fact, I would say it is the most special day that Callum and our family have ever had. I am so grateful to Lewis Hamilton and Make-A-Wish for making this happen.”
From Make-A-Wish UK: “As ever, we are aware that as we receive no government or lottery funding it would not be possible to grant any of these wishes without the generous donations of both money and time from you, the members of the public – so thank you all for helping us to grant so many magical wishes and help so many families.”
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