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Dreams Come True

Fern Britton presents an appeal on behalf of the children's charity Dreams Come True. Their mission is to enrich the lives of children and young adults who are living with serious medical conditions by helping them realise a dream.

9 minutes

Dreams Come True

Dreams Come True

We are a small national charity; our mission is to bring joy to children and young people with serious disabilities and life limiting conditions. We make dreams come true, and that can be life-changing.

We were created almost thirty years ago and since then we have helped nearly 6,000 young people between the ages of 2 and 21 fulfil their dreams.

Every dream is different and a dream can be anything at all; a break with the family, meeting a hero, experiencing something truly special, or receiving a special gift.  

When your life has suddenly been turned upside down by a diagnosis or an accident a dream can help you find the will and the strength to get through, to scale new heights and reach new goals.

With a serious and lifelong illness in the family when every day is a mountain to climb - a dream can be the chance to step away from that for a while. The simplest of dreams can bring a sense of hope and normality; it can help a child to explore and learn by providing special equipment or give the chance of freedom and independence with a disability trike.

A dream can generate feelings of excitement, anticipation and happiness; it can provide a focus and something to look forward to; during long stays in hospital, times of tremendous pain and relentless treatment.  And when nothing more can be done a dream can provide positive memories for those left behind.

Fern Britton

Fern Britton

I am so pleased to be telling you about Dreams Come True.

I have children.  Like every parent, in every family,  I have hopes and dreams for my kids, and one of the biggest hopes is that they life happy, healthy, fulfilling lives and go on to experience children of their own, with their own hope and dreams.  And so the circle of life rolls on …

For the families that come to Dreams Come True, their children are facing serious illnesses that are life-long and life limiting that may not be the case.  But this charity helps them fulfil their dream, and brings joy and hope and happiness into their lives.

Dreams Come True has helped thousands of children and young  people have a dream come true but there are many more who deserve a dream, with your help they can.  Just like Jenny, Matthew and Myles….

Jenny

Jenny

Jenny, had just finished her GCSEs and she had her whole life ahead of her planned. Leaving her summer job one evening to cycle home she was hit by a car at a local accident black spot and immediately paralysed from the chest down. Jenny’s recovery took months, and it has taken all her resilience and courage. As part of her desire to remain active, Jenny’s dream was to have a specially adapted wheelchair that would enable her to still get out and enjoy the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Dreams Come True fulfilled Jenny’s dream for a purpose-built mountain wheelchair trike, it enables her to keep active, get outdoors on her own and enjoy the beautiful countryside around her home.  Jenny’s life has changed but with the help of Dreams Come True who gave her back the opportunity for real independence and self-reliance, Jenny has not looked back - she has just started University, she has decided to become a doctor. 

Myles

Myles

Myles was receiving treatment for metastatic Hepablastoma when he was introduced to Dreams Come True. Hepatoblastoma is a very rare cancerous tumour that originates in a child’s liver.  Sadly in spite of intensive treatment including a liver transplant, Myles’ illness had progressed and it was at this stage, when nothing more could be done for him, that his parents contacted Dreams Come True. They were not sure what to ask for, or what would be possible for him, but they knew he loved animals.  So in a matter of days, whilst Myles was still well enough to enjoy it, Dreams Come True organised a special private visit to London Zoo for Myles his twin sister, brother and his Mum and Dad.  They received VIP treatment - being escorted around the zoo and meeting and learning about the animals. It was a lovely and memorable day for the whole family.

Matthew

Matthew

Matthew is a wonderful boy whose smile can melt a thousand hearts.  He is four now, at six months he was discovered to be living with a rare genetic condition that would seriously affect his physical and mental development.  Matthew is a joy, with a happy nature, a little bundle of energy, who never sits still and is always curious about his surroundings. He loves being outdoors and has a particular fascination with water. This fearless little character and knows no danger so he needs to be kept safe and his parents need to keep constant watch, anticipating every risk for him and saving him from himself.  It’s not his fault and of course Matthew’s parents want to give him the quality of life that every child deserves, with the stimulation and benefit of simple childhood experiences, like visiting grandparents.  So they asked Dreams Come True for a safety travel bed to keep Matthew safe at night, wherever he might be. This means that Matthew can enjoy time away from home with his family and sleep safe and sound for years to come.

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Role Contributor
Presenter Fern Britton

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