Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK grants wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Since being established in the UK in 1986, they have granted over 5,600 wishes. There are 20,000 children living in the UK with a life-threatening illness – every one of these children deserves to experience the magic of a Make-A-Wish wish. In 2009, around 1,000 children will turn to the Foundation to have their special wish granted. Make-A-Wish needs to raise £5 million a year to continue granting these magical wishes. Make-A-Wish is affiliated to Make-A-Wish Foundation® International. It is now the largest wish granting organisation in the world and can be found in more than 30 countries on five continents.

Mark’s introduction to charity fundraising came when his friend Rich Gilmartin somehow persuaded him to run up a mountain dressed as a grandma… but this was just the start of things to come. In the years following, doing idiotic things for The Christie (cancer hospital, Manchester) became a rewarding hobby.

When Mark’s niece was born 12 weeks premature he decided it was time to raise money for children facing life-threatening illness. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was the perfect choice.

Crossing the Atlantic under our own power is now our dream. We hope that by making this happen, we can provide the funds to help the dreams of other young people come true.

Make-A-Wish is a registered charity in England and Wales (295672) and Scotland (SC037479)