Newstalk is joining forces with Make-A-Wish Ireland for the charity’s annual ‘Wish Week’ fundraising campaign.

Last year’s Wish Week campaign raised €75,000 and Make-A-Wish Ireland is aiming to smash that total with a target of €100,000 this year.

Make-A-Wish Ireland has granted over 2,950 wishes to children living with life-threatening illnesses over the years – and globally the charity has granted more than half-a-million wishes to children.

This year’s ‘Wish Week’ runs from Monday, April 24th to Friday, April 28th and Newstalk will be airing stories of hope, strength and resilience throughout the week.

The week culminates in the charity’s annual Wish Day on Friday, April 28th.

Make-A-Wish recipient Joshua Eyanga (6), with Newstalk Managing Editor Patricia Monaghan and Pat Kenny to launch national ‘Wish Week’ fundraising campaign. Image: Make-A-Wish

Newstalk and Make-A-Wish are urging people all over Ireland to get behind the campaign and raise much-needed funding for the children.

Newstalk Managing Editor Patricia Monahan said: “Newstalk is delighted to support Make-A-Wish with their Wish Day on April 28th.

“The work they do makes such a huge difference to sick children and their families, and we are happy to play our part in recognising the impact of that”.

Hope

Make-A-Wish Ireland CEO Susan McQuaid-O’Dwyer said the charity has granted wishes to 183 children around the country in the past year.

“These wishes have helped give hope to their families and in many cases have helped greatly in the children’s medical journeys,” she said.

“With hope, a child with a critical illness finds light in the darkness of their current circumstances.

“It transforms their perspective, replacing feelings of trauma with hope for tomorrow. They have renewed motivation to persevere and heal. We are asking the public to support the charity with one week of fundraising to help a child in their local communities.

“A wish begins with hope, and hope begins with you.”

Funding

Ms McQuaid-O’Dwyer said Make-A-Wish receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of the public.

It's now easier than ever to donate to Make-A-Wish Ireland.

• You can donate online at ie/donate.
• You can donate €4 by texting MYWISH to 50300 (Make-A-Wish will receive a minimum of €3.60)
• You can call Make-A-Wish on 01-2052007 to donate by phone.
• Bucket collections take place in shopping centres nationwide.

You can also show your support for the charity by drawing a star on your social media profile picture and donating by text.