A donation from the Co-op Group will enable charity Rays of Sunshine to fulfil wishes to children living with serious or life limiting illnesses.
According to the charity, which helps children aged 3-18, around 49,000 children and young people in the UK are living with a serious or life-limiting illness.
To support the cause, the Co-op’s Property team hosted a charity awards evening where it raised £125,000. The funding will enable the charity to make dozens of wishes come true, including a ride on a steam train, an overnight stay at a zoo and, a visit to Disneyland.
Rays of Sunshine tries to grant children’s unique individual wishes as well as hospital ward wishes. These range from meeting a real-life mermaid to being fireman for a day or visiting Santa in Lapland.
David Roberts, managing director, Co-op Property, said: “Our colleagues and partners were moved by the courage and bravery shown by young people who suffer serious and life limiting illnesses.
“At the heart of the Co-op it is about making a difference in our communities, bringing people together, and showing that we care. We are pleased to have raised such a fantastic sum of money that we know will support the charity’s work to make dreams come true for some very poorly children in our communities.”
Jane Sharpe, CEO of Rays of Sunshine, added: “We’re so grateful to the Co-op’s Property team for raising and donating such a phenomenal amount of money to Rays of Sunshine. As a charity we receive no government funding, which means that the money raised on the night will enable us to continue our work to bring joy and hope to seriously ill children and their families when they need it most.
“As well as granting magical wishes for brave and deserving young people with the funds raised, the evening also gave our children’s choir an unforgettable experience of performing on the night. We’re so thankful to Co-op for their support.”
