Make-A-Wish® UK

Hi everyone, I’m Nick Rooke 👋 I’m one of the Gaming Advisors Make-A-Wish® UK. This means I use my industry knowledge as well as my network of friends within it to help raise funds. The games industry is one big family and people are always willing to help any good causes wherever they can. I first started with the charity, when I was approached and asked if I’d be interested in getting involved. I’d previously worked with a children’s hospital whilst at Xbox in a charitable capacity and was immediately eager to do more with Make-A-Wish to help however I could. Since joining, my daughter, Jess, and I have also taken on several fundraising challenges including climbing mountains! We like to set ourselves motivational “mini goals” on the way up which has also been fun – “climb to that outcrop and we can stop for a biscuit” or “climb another 200 meters and it’s a 20-minute break”. I like to use apps to track all our stats and progress and as a data-geek, it’s quite enjoyable to review that afterwards! 📈 As it’s Wish 200 Week and Make-A-Wish’s annual gaming campaign to raise enough funds to grant 200 life-changing wishes is running, I’m reflecting on my first memory of gaming. My dad brought home a ZX81 (with 1Kb of memory!) and I carefully typed in the code to a horse-racing game from a magazine, only to have to spend the next 30 minutes debugging a silly error before I could play it! 🎮 For young people living with critical illnesses, gaming often offers a form of escapism. Outside of that, it can also be empowering, as well as helping to connect them beyond their immediate surroundings through online play. If you, or someone you know is able and keen to get involved in Wish 200 Week, please do. You’ll be helping make a world of difference to wish children and their families. Find out more by reaching out to Hannah Ashwell or Ben Moore. #MeetTheTeam #GrantWishesWithEveryGame #Wish200Week

As we head into the weekend, our Senior Gaming Partnerships and Campaigns Manager, Hannah Ashwell, has shared just some of the highlights from #Wish200Week so far 👇 From our incredible gaming advisory board with their insights and guidance, content streamers and their passionate audiences, our brilliant partners who've helped make this campaign a possibility, to our community, you've all rallied with us and we're incredibly grateful 💙 We still have lots of exciting content coming out over the next few days on our social channels, including more stories which highlight just how important wishes are and their impact for children living in with critical illnesses. Let's keep going and #GrantWishesWithEveryGame 🎮 Miniclip, Tripledot Studios, Playrix, First Touch Games Ltd., Perp Games, Logitech G, Overclockers UK, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Play Ventures, Diva Agency, Other Things, DPS Games and Hypixel Studios #Gaming #GamesIndustry #Partnerships

We're #hiring a new Wishgranter in Reading, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

What does your average workday look like? 🤔 From having meetings with team members, to filling out spreadsheets and preparing documents, a laptop or PC is a vital part of most of our 9-5. For wish children like 16-year-old Benedicta, laptops are a lifeline. PC gaming gives Benedicta a much-needed distraction from her sickle cell and restrictive lung disease diagnoses – conditions which have a huge impact on her daily life. When Benedicta’s laptop broke, she could no longer escape into a game and enjoy a world away from her conditions. But, with the cost of laptops being high, it was too much for the family to replace it. When thinking about what she wanted for her wish, it was an obvious choice for Benedicta: “I’m in year 11, so I want something that I can use for studying and playing games to relax! I’ve been inspired by my sickle cell doctor team. I want to help kids like me!” For children and young adults like Benedicta, wishes are hugely important. Benedicta’s new laptop means she can connect with friends safely, enjoy playing Roblox games, and study towards her dream of being a doctor and helping others. The impact of her wish will be felt for years to come, giving her the chance to dream big. ⭐ This #Wish200Week, join us and help #GrantWishesWithEveryGame for critically ill children. We’ve already got some incredible partners onboard and we’re so grateful, but there’s still a chance for you and your organisation to get involved. Donate now on the link below, or get in touch with @Hannah Ashwell and Ben Moore to find out more about how you can make a difference ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3L3kgxv When Benedicta heard her wish ‘to have a new laptop’ was being granted, she was over the moon – “I was really happy! I could actually get a laptop that I could use! A lot of hard things have happened to me. It's nice to have something that you may not be able to afford. It's something that makes you happy! Thank you very much for making my wish possible - I'm so grateful for everything that Make-A-Wish has done for me!” #Laptop #Wish #GamesIndustry #Partner #ContentCreators #InfluencerMarketing #MakeAWishUK

With the launch of #Wish200Week today, we’re sharing Ewan’s wish ‘to meet YouTubers Slogo and Jelly.’ Whether it’s for new games, a specific console or PC, or to meet their favourite content creator, gaming industry experts and contacts have a huge part in helping us grant gaming wishes. However in recent years, we’ve seen a 400% increase in demand in requests for these wishes. For children like Ewan, wishes aren’t just a nice-to-have, they serve as an urgently needed experience, redefining a childhood that was once shaped by their condition. From donating to our Wish 200 Week campaign on the link below, to sharing Ewan’s wish with your network, a couple of clicks can help make all the difference to a wish child just like Ewan. Get involved now: https://bit.ly/3L3kgxv As Mum told us: “Ewan’s wish was a really positive thing that came out of something so negative. It was important for us as we try to build our lives back to our new normal. Thank you - it doesn't seem a lot, but meeting Slogo and Jelly made my little boy very happy. It boosted Ewan.” #MakeAWish #GrantWishesWithEveryGame #GamingIndustry #Partners #ContentCreators #InfluencerMarketing #Gamer

“She’s always been a real water baby, but due to the cold water at leisure centres, she can’t cope so hasn’t been swimming in months.” – Heather, Izzy’s Mum. Seven-year-old Izzy lives with life-limiting, gut failure and dysmotility. Thanks to incredible support from our friends at Jacuzzi Group and PDS Direct, we were able to grant Izzy’s wish ‘to have a hot tub’. ✨ After Izzy’s wish had been granted, Mum got in touch to say: “Thank you so much for granting Izzy’s wish. She had her first go in the hot tub and it was just incredible! She was so smiley and kicking her legs about. It was so perfect for her brother to be able to hold and move with her. She loved it so much that she fussed when we first got out, so we got straight back in! We may well be living in it. “Just a huge thank you, this will make such a big difference and a chance to have some really happy memories. It’s been a really tough year and this has just been a breath of fresh air thank you so much.” #MakeAWishUK #Jacuzzi #HotTub

Less than a week to go until Wish 200 Week officially launches! Today, we’re sharing Sevi’s story, highlighting the impact of gaming wishes and why you and your company should be involved! After a turbulent road to diagnosis, five-year-old Sevi and his parents were given the heartbreaking prognosis that he had a life expectancy of six months due to neuroblastoma. When thinking about what Sevi might want as his wish, Dad told us: “Sevi saw a kid playing on a Switch whilst an inpatient. He saw it and he asked what it was. I showed him on YouTube, and he said he really liked it. I said it's expensive and we may not be able to afford it. When a nurse came to us and told us about Make-A-Wish we thought it would be a great opportunity to get Sevi a Switch!” Mum said: “He was so excited when it arrived. He loves gaming. When he isn't playing on his Switch, he watches things about games and plays on his tablet.” Whether he’s in hospital undergoing invasive treatments or recovering at home Sevi’s Switch means he can adventure around worlds, play his favourite games and bond with his family while escaping the gruelling reality of his condition. “He doesn't get bored now, it really helps. It helps us bond as well- we’ll sit on the bed and just play all together!” said Mum. For Sevi, Mum and Dad, and other wish children and family’s just like him every memory-making moment is vital. Whether it’s a tournament to get the high score, in-game builds or a sponsored challenge, there are lots of ways for you to join Wish 200 Week from Monday and make all the difference. Please do reach out to Hannah Ashwell and Ben Moore if you’re able to support – you’ll be giving wish children a chance to dream big, even when children might not have long to live. After his wish, Sevi told us: “I love my Switch! Super Mario is my favourite game!” Mum added: “Sevi has gone through so many procedures that even some adults haven’t gone through. Just a simple wish to be grant means a lot – thank you so much!” #MakeAWishUK #Wish200Week #GrantWishesWithEveryGame #GamesIndustry #Partner #ContentCreators #InfluencerMarketing #Games

18-year-old Emily is in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and loves all things music, singing and period dramas. She’s particularly interested in the costuming and styling of period fashions. We recently granted Emily’s wish ‘to have a Bridgerton experience’ and after the wish, Mum shared with us just some of what they got up to. “We had the perfect weekend. Every part of it was so much fun and lovely. Everyone involved went out of their way to welcome us and make sure that we were looked after. “The Bridgerton walking tour was great. It was really interesting to learn about the history of Bath as well as the show. We even saw the yellow lines that were never edited out of the show and have since rewatched to spot them! “The Jane Austen centre was also brilliant – the actors and actresses were brilliant in character - Emily learnt loads about Jane and her history. She was also able to try on the costumes including dress and bag and we joked that she felt like she belonged - Emily was born in the wrong era! During her wish, Emily also got to stay in a hotel overlooking the historic bath skyline, had a memorable afternoon tea experience and attended an Opera by candlelight concert in Bath Abbey. “It was a weekend full of happy memories - it couldn't have gone any better.” Thank you so much to everyone who was involved in granting Emily’s wish! #Bridgerton #Bath #MakeAWishUK #Wish

When the Lionesses met Make-A-Wish UK ⚽ Laura, Emilka, Hannah and Sienna all told their Wish Makers how much they love football. From enjoying the atmosphere and cheering, to attending Football Therapy for mental and physical health or enjoying watching the game when their illness has prevented them from playing, they’re keen fans of the sport and Lionesses! We want to say a big thank you to #Lionesses and everyone at The FA for bringing joy and magic to our wish children during their toughest of times 💙 Wishing the team the best of luck in their match tonight! 👏 #Lionesses #EnglandWomen #WEURO2025 #WishGranted

We're #hiring a new Wish Discovery Coordinator in Reading, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.