A six-year-old boy from Derbyshire, facing a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, has had his greatest wish fulfilled – to become a magician for a day – in an emotional campaign launched by the charity Make-A-Wish UK this Christmas.
A Family Making Every Moment Count
Charlie, who lives with his mum Amanda, dad, and younger brother, has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. In a heartbreaking decision this past September, his parents made the choice to stop his treatment.
His mother Amanda shares the family's profound grief, stating that knowing they have only months left with their son is unimaginable. "There aren’t really any words to describe how it feels to know we’ll be saying goodbye," she said. "But we’re making every day count, making memories that we’ll remember forever to celebrate our beautiful boy." This Christmas is likely to be Charlie's last.
The Power of a Wish: Believing in Magic Again
One of Charlie's greatest passions is magic, a secret skill that brings him immense joy to share. When he learned he could have a wish granted, he knew immediately what he wanted: to be a magician.
Thanks to Make-A-Wish UK, a charity that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, Charlie's dream became a reality. On his special day, he performed alongside a local magician, dazzling friends and family with a close-up magic show.
"Charlie and his younger brother have spoken about the magic show every day since," Amanda recalled. "Being able to give him that opportunity to be a magician himself and just seeing him smile and laugh was so comforting." She expressed immense gratitude to the charity and its supporters for creating such a precious memory for their family before Charlie's condition declines.
A Christmas Campaign to Rescue Childhood Magic
In response to the growing need, Make-A-Wish UK has launched a new Christmas fundraising campaign. The goal is to help more critically ill children like Charlie believe in magic again by raising funds to grant more wishes.
Jason Suckley, CEO of Make-A-Wish UK, emphasised the urgency: "Critical illness brings the joy of childhood 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 rescue the magic of childhood."
The charity is now granting a record number of over 1,000 wishes each year, yet demand is far outpacing their efforts. It is estimated that around 1,000 children will be diagnosed with a life-changing illness this Christmas alone, making them eligible for a wish. For many families, the festive season is filled with uncertainty and worry, and a wish can offer a vital escape and create lasting, magical memories.
The charity is calling for public support to ensure that for children with critical illnesses, the chance to believe, hope, and dream big does not disappear.
