Rays of Sunshine
Rays of Sunshine is a children’s charity that brightens the lives of the seriously and terminally ill and their families by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community.[1].
In June 2018, the charity was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services[2] – an award officially known as “the MBE for volunteer groups” – as recognition of its work.
History and Purpose
The Charity was formed in 2003 to grant wishes to children and young people who are living with serious or life-limiting illness between the ages of 3 to 18 across the United Kingdom.
Since then, the Charity has granted more than 6,500 wishes and touched the lives of more than 60,000 children and young people.
Wishes often include meeting celebrities. Recent examples include I’m a Celebrity winner Georgia Toffolo sharing a day of pampering with a 14-year old who lives with cystic fibrosis[3]; and singer Olly Murs granting the wish of super-fan, Lily, who has a rare condition, Moyamoya disease[4]
Beyond Wishes
Rays of Sunshine also provides regular and ongoing support, including activity days, visits from play specialists and other events in hospitals.
The Charity also offers support to siblings, with events designed to provide the opportunity for children to share experiences, learn skills and meet other children living in similar circumstances.
Parent events provide mums and dads with the chance to meet with their peers and form support networks in a relaxed environment.
The Rays of Sunshine Children’s Choir
The Rays of Sunshine Children’s Choir is made up of children and young people who have previously had their wishes granted by the Charity.
Performances have included singing with Nicole Scherzinger on stage at Wembley Arena[5] and releasing a Christmas single with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe[6].
Celebrity Ambassadors
In 2018, Arsenal footballer Mezut Ozil celebrated his 30th birthday by announcing that he has become a Rays of Sunshine Ambassador[7].
References[edit]
- ↑ "The Jewish News". March 2007.
- ↑ "Rays of Sunshine Awarded Queen's Award for Voluntary Services". Rays of Sunshine. June 2018.
- ↑ "Georgia Toffolo works with Rays of Sunshine to surprise 14-year-old living with cystic fibrosis". Celebs Now. 14 September 2018.
- ↑ "Olly Murs makes girl's dream come true with help from Rays of Sunshine". Salisbury Journal. 7 April 2018.
- ↑ "SSE celebrates two-year partnership with charity Rays of Sunshine". Campaign. 1 November 2016.
- ↑ "Go behind the scenes of the making of Bring Me Sunshine charity single with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe". The Telegraph. 14 December 2017.
- ↑ "Mesut Ozil". Twitter. 15 October 2018.
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