A celebratory walk for Wish Children will take place in Westport House on
15th June 2019
16th May 2019 – In memory of Wish Children, both past and present, Make-A-Wish will be joined by Wish families, friends, volunteers and supporters on 15th June in Westport House for Walk for Wishes. Starting at 2pm, participants will walk to remember all of the 2,400 children whose wishes have been granted across the country over the past 27 years, and to raise funds to grant wishes for those who apply daily to Make-A-Wish Ireland.
An estimated 4,000 children in Ireland live with a life-limiting condition[1] and approximately 370 children die each year due to their illnesses. Make-A-Wish, through the generosity of public donations, create incredible memories for children and their families, helping to ensure that the illness or the trauma that they go through is not the memory that lasts, but that smiles, happiness and joy are the images that stay.
This June, hundreds of wish families, friends and supporters will join together at multiple locations around Ireland to Walk for Wishes. Susan O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland says, “By joining together to Walk for Wishes we remember each of the wonderful, loving children Make-A-Wish has been able to help over the past 27 years, some of whom are no longer with us. We want to use this weekend to remember each child who has gone before us, to celebrate the happiness they brought and the joy that their short lives emanated and also to celebrate the many wish children who are either living with, or have overcome life-threatening illnesses, as they walk with us.”
Sean Mulchrone’s son, Luke, passed away in March 2014. Sean says, “On 25th March 2014, after watching him battle over six years with a brain tumour, we as a family, watched our son Luke draw his last breath and make his journey to his eternal home in Heaven. Ten months earlier, the scene was the complete opposite. Make-A-Wish had granted Luke his wish of visiting Disneyworld, Florida. What we didn’t realise at the time, and couldn’t, was the even greater impact that Wish has on our lives now. At times, when the loss of our son makes living difficult, it is the memories of this joyous time we hold on to.” Sean and his family will support Walk for Wishes in Westport House on 15th June 2019.
Also supporting Walk for Wishes are Fiona Quinn and her son Liam, who had his wish granted in 2017. “We are forever grateful for the happy memories Make-A-Wish provided for Liam. In 2017 after many hospitalisations and challenges that present to a child diagnosed with a lifelong illness, Liam got to see Barcelona beat Villarreal at the famous Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona. The memories of lining out on the pitch for a photo with the team to the booming Barca anthem and seeing the Gods named Messi, Suarez and Neymar up close and in action were spellbinding! The experience of being granted a Wish is truly life changing. We would encourage anyone to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation in any way you can.”
Walk for Wishes is a 7km walk around the beautiful gardens of Westport House. The Walk has an interactive Treasure Hunt element to it, encouraging younger family members to get involved and enjoy the day.
Make-A-Wish is looking for participants who can sign up at HERE For those unable to attend one of these walks, Make-A-Wish invites anyone interested to organise their own walk this June. Please contact the fundraising team for more information and they will assist you every step of the way.
Biddy Hughes from Westport Houses says, “The grounds of Westport House offer the ideal setting for Walk for Wishes and we are delighted to host this meaningful event.”
Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children living with life-threatening medical conditions. Research shows children who have wishes granted are more likely to build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. This improves their quality of life and produces better health outcomes.*