Make-A-Wish UK grant life-changing wishes for thousands of critically ill children between the ages of 3 and 17 years, helping families to create lasting memories they will treasure forever. The charity was founded in 1986 and has since granted over 18,000 wishes. Wishes can range from being a princess or a business owner for the day or meeting a hero, to going on a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday.
As DPD’s nominated staff charity, staff across the UK will be raising funds for Make-A-Wish UK for 12 months through a variety of events and challenges. DPD has pledged to match pound for pound the money raised by staff with the overall target set at £200,000, to support Make-A-Wish UK and help fund 100 additional wishes for the charity.
DPD UK staff will also have the opportunity to get involved by volunteering their time for the charity to help make the wishes become a reality.
Hunter’s Wish:
After three years of severe stomach aches, Hunter, age eight from Cambridgeshire, was diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
While in hospital, mum Tanya learned about Make-A-Wish:
“Our consultant was the one that said how good having a wish can be and how he deserved it. He filled out all the forms and referred him. Hunter racked his brain as to what to do – that's when we mentioned sleeping with the lions, and he said, ‘Yeah, I ‘d love to do that!’”
On the 2nd of March, the family made their way to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent and checked into their treehouse lodge which had a panoramic view of a lion enclosure. Hunter was able to experience all that the park had to offer including a tour on the park ranger’s truck, the treehouse’s outdoor bath which had a view of the neighbouring lions and feeling like a VIP riding around on one of the park's buggies.
For Mum and Dad, watching the lions stroll around right outside their lodge was an unforgettable experience. The family frequently talks about Hunter’s wish and how it allowed them to spend quality time together, something they couldn’t do during Hunter’s treatment.
Now post-treatment, Hunter undergoes check-ups every six months and will do so for the next two years.
Hunter’s Mum Tanya commented,
“Most people don’t realise what these children go through. They might see ill children on TV, but when you’re in that ward it's raw. What you see is heartbreaking. They experience so much pain with treatment and surgeries. But a wish gives them a needed lift and a boost - something to look forward to. We experience a lot of financial difficulty still because of Hunter’s diagnosis. So, to have a wish, to do something like that, is amazing.”
Dad Ryan added,
“If it weren't for sponsors and donors like DPD UK we wouldn’t be able to do what we did on Hunter’s wish!”
Jason Suckley, CEO of Make-A-Wish UK, commented,
“We’re delighted to announce this new partnership with DPD UK today. Wishes have the power to cut through the gruelling daily reality of life for a child with a critical illness, rescuing the magic of childhood and providing a much-needed escape from ongoing treatments, endless hospital stays, and uncertainty. Hunter’s story highlights how much wishes provide healing, joy and the chance to dream big when children need it the most. Children deserve to wish for more than a life defined by their illness."
“The growing demand for wishes means more families are having to wait for their wish, but for some children, there is no time to wait. It’s thanks to partners like DPD UK, and their invaluable support that ensures more children will receive the life-changing power of a wish. The funds raised by DPD UK and their staff will help us to grant more wishes for families and provide strength during their toughest times. We’re so thankful for their support.”
Elaine Kerr, CEO of DPD UK, commented,
“This is a very special partnership for us. Every year DPD people amaze me with their ability to challenge themselves, organise incredible events and give their time so generously for our nominated charities, but I think everyone is really up for this one. It is impossible to really understand what families go through when a child is critically ill, but all of us can imagine how difficult it must be and how important it is to try and create joy and some incredible memories. To be able to contribute in any way to that is all the motivation we need this year to absolutely smash our target. I’m incredibly grateful to Jason and his team for letting us get involved and I can’t wait to see what DPD people can achieve for Make-A-Wish.”
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About DPD UK
DPD is a member of Geopost, a European leader in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce. Part of the La Poste Groupe.
The company operates more than 10,000 vehicles in the UK from 85 locations and delivers over 360 million parcels a year.
DPD UK topped the Money Saving Expert parcel delivery customer satisfaction poll for the ninth time in 2024.
In November 2023 DPD opened London Docklands to deliver all-electric throughout London. Currently, 35% of DPD’s van fleet is all-electric while 95% of the HGV fleet runs on biofuel. The company is on track to be Net Zero by 2040.
Details of all of DPD’s sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated sustainability website: https://sustainability.dpd.co.uk/
About Make-A-Wish UK
Right now, over 134,000 children in the UK are eligible for a wish because they are dealing with the gruelling daily reality of life with a critical illness. When it comes to their dreams, they deserve to wish for more than a life defined by their illness. Critical illness brings a child’s joy to an abrupt end but Make-A-Wish UK is part of a global movement that grants life-changing wishes that have the power to turn tears into cheers, rescuing the magic of childhood even in their toughest times and providing a lifeline for families to spend precious time together.
Make-A-Wish UK is a registered charity that was established in the UK in 1986 to create life-changing wishes that revive the childhood that critical illness often takes away. The charity receives no Government funding - registered charity numbers: 295672 in England and Wales, SC037479 in Scotland. To see more wish stories, visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk or follow us on social media at:
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