Author: Make-A-Wish

 
The children’s charity Make-A-Wish UK is urgently calling on the gaming community to unite in lighting up the darkness for critically ill children, urging content creators and gaming industry leaders to help raise £400,000 through sponsored livestreams and events in order to grant 200 life-changing wishes. Miniclip, Hutch, MTG, Sports Interactive, Huuuge Games, Venatus, Fusebox Games and Aream & Co are among those supporting the campaign, while content creators CozyGamerKat, LetsBrock, HushCam and GaGOD have confirmed their participation.

 
In July 2021 Make-A-Wish UK launched 'Wish 100 Week' with the help of Rob Small, Make-A-Wish UK Patron and co-founder & President of Miniclip. Dan TDM, GaGOD, Beardageddon, It’s Tegan, InDeeDee, and KT.EXE took part in a week-long fundraising initiative, alongside game developers, brands, fundraisers, and donors, raising over £200,000 for the charity. These funds allowed Make-A-Wish UK to grant 100 wishes, including 17-year-old Isaac Burnett’s wish for a Gaming PC.

 
Sharon, Isaac’s Mum, said: ‘Isaac’s PC gives him a community to connect to whilst undergoing treatment for leukaemia. To see him so happy means the world. He’s been through so much, and the fact that other gamers helped raise this money to grant Isaac’s wish makes it even more special.’

 

This year the charity plans to go to the next level, doubling the target to try and raise £400,000 before the end of the campaign week, 18^th-22^nd July. 100% of money raised will go directly to granting wishes for 200 more children and young people, just like Isaac, across the UK. 

Make-A-Wish UK has seen a 400% increase in gaming-related wishes since 2017, with more children than ever finding solace in gaming whilst undergoing treatment for critical conditions. Noah and Freddie Hart, 13-year-old twins from Lancashire, have recently been granted their wish for Oculus VR Headsets.

‘The boys were 8 months old when we first noticed something was wrong, as Noah had issues with his breathing,’ said Mum, Gemma Hart. ‘When they were 5 years old, they were finally diagnosed with PVNH, a rare neurological condition which affects their heart, lungs and digestive systems.’ 

Both boys love sport but are unable to participate in real life games of football and basketball, due to the limitations of their condition. Gemma said: ‘Through lockdown, gaming was a means of the twins socialising and feeling connected with their friends. It’s also a way of keeping active while not exerting themselves too much and giving them a level playing field with their peers.’ 
 

Jason Suckley, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish UK said: ’The power of a wish can light up the darkness for children living with a critical condition, leaving a profound and lasting impact on their lives. Your next livestream could help light up the darkness. By visiting https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/wish200week/ and joining our team of streamers raising funds for Make-A-Wish UK, you can directly help to grant wishes for 200 critically ill children across the UK.’ 


Rob Small said: ‘Last year the gaming community proved that it's a force to be reckoned with, smashing all our expectations and raising well over £200,000. This year Make-A-Wish UK has an even bigger challenge, hoping to raise £400,000 to make 200 wishes come true, and I know the industry will get behind the Wish 200 Week campaign once again to help change the lives of more critically ill children, many of whom are gamers themselves. 


I am proud to be a Patron of Make-A-Wish backing this campaign. I’ve seen the incredible difference this charity makes and right now, we have a real opportunity to help them to grant more wishes that will impact the lives of so many kids and their families all over the UK.’ 


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NOTES TO EDITORS

 

About Make-A-Wish UK

Make-A-Wish UK is part of a global movement that was established in the UK in 1986 to create life-changing wishes that revive the childhood that critical illness often takes away.


Right now, more than 60,000* children in the UK have been diagnosed with a critical condition, changing their lives and the lives of their families forever. For them, the joy of childhood is brought to an abrupt end with treatment plans, appointments and worry taking over. The power of a wish revives a childhood stolen by critical illness. It brings light and joy to children and their loved ones, leaving a profound and lasting impact on all their lives.


But Make-A-Wish UK can’t be that light for everyone. It takes a community of volunteers, supporters and donors to help these children feel like children again. Together, we have the power to light up the darkness. Make-A-Wish® UK Charity Registration Nos. 295672/SC037479


To find out more about Make-A-Wish please visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk or follow @makeawishuk on social media.