From Victoria Perry at Starlight: Thank you very much for your recent donations totalling £23,943.87. On behalf of everyone at Starlight Children’s Foundation, I would like to thank you for these generous gifts which are being used to enhance the quality of life of our Starlight Children.

This year, Starlight will brighten the lives of over 500,000 seriously and terminally ill children by granting their
wishes and by providing entertainment in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.

All Starlight’s activities are aimed at distracting children from the pain, fear and isolation caused by their illness. Starlight receives neither government nor lottery funding and relies entirely on the support of people like you.

For many children, the excitement and anticipation of their Starlight Wish gives them just the boost they need to carry on battling their illnesses. Six-year-old Harvey suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition which causes muscle weakness.

He loves Despicable Me and has lots of Minion toys and enjoys watching the film. Harvey has therefore asked for his Starlight Wish to go to Universal Studios to meet a minion, something which his parents told Starlight would mean the world to him.

Harvey’s mum Sarah said, “We can’t thank Starlight enough for sending us to Florida. Harvey was very, very tired on the trip but he pushed through it all and had the time of his life. When the minions came out especially to meet us his face lit up. At that moment we forgot all about Harvey’s condition and the struggles he faces every day and we saw a normal six year old boy whose wish had just come true.”

Upcoming wishes include a trip to meet the Strictly Come Dancing team for Emilia, aged 8, who is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; Joshua, who is 14 years old and has brittle bone disease, wishes to go on a Mediterranean cruise; and five-year-old Jasmine, who has severe epilepsy, wishes to be a princess for the day.

Your much appreciated contribution and support will help Starlight bring happy memories into the lives of many seriously ill children and their families, and for that I cannot thank you enough.

Very best wishes
Victoria