Ruqayyah Snyder
Make-A-Wish Australia is a children's charity that grants wishes to Australian children and teens aged between 3 and 18 years old who are suffering from critical illnesses. The charity relies on donors and volunteers to help grant wishes to critically ill children. While Make-A-Wish Australia provides a valuable service to children, it is unclear if there is a similar program for adults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Focus | Solely on granting wishes to children |
| Applicant Eligibility | Children and teens aged between 3 and 18 years old with critical illnesses |
| Applicant Ineligibility | Children who have previously received a wish from Make-A-Wish or any other wish-granting organisation in Australia or overseas |
| Application Process | Applications can be made by parents/legal guardians, the child themselves, a relative or friend of the family, or a health or social care professional |
| Application Contact | 1800 032 260 or [email protected] |
| Donation Contact | 1800 032 260 or [email protected] |
| Media Contact | [email protected] |
| Address | PO Box 5006 Burnley, VIC 3121 |
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What You'll Learn
Make-A-Wish Australia is for children and teens only
Make-A-Wish Australia is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children and teens with critical illnesses. The charity accepts applications from eligible children and teens aged between 3 and 18 years old. Younger children under 3 years old are also eligible to receive a wish hamper filled with age-appropriate toys.
The organisation relies on donors and volunteers to help grant wishes to critically ill children and create life-changing experiences for them. These wishes are tailored to each child and can range from VIP experiences at sporting events to magical unicorn flights over Sydney Harbour.
While Make-A-Wish Australia focuses on children and teens, it is worth noting that they do not allocate donations to individual children or illness categories. This approach ensures that funds are distributed fairly and reach those with the greatest need.
Make-A-Wish Australia has been supporting critically ill children since 1985 and is the country's only children's charity dedicated solely to granting wishes. Their mission is to bring hope and joy to these children, positively impacting not just the child but also their family and community.
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Eligibility criteria for applicants
Make-A-Wish Australia is a charity that grants wishes to Australian children and teens with critical illnesses. The eligibility criteria for applicants are as follows:
- The applicant must be an Australian child or teen between the ages of 3 and 18 years old. Applications can be submitted from the child's third birthday until their 18th birthday.
- The applicant must have a critical illness. Make-A-Wish Australia supports children with a range of critical illnesses, including cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
- The applicant must not have previously received a wish from Make-A-Wish Australia or any other wish-granting organisation in Australia or overseas, including the Starlight Foundation.
- The applicant's wish must be unique and life-changing. Wishes can vary from VIP experiences at Australia's biggest sporting events to becoming a heroic crime fighter.
- The applicant's wish must be feasible and safe to carry out. Make-A-Wish Australia works closely with volunteers, the child's family, and the medical team to bring the wish to life.
- The applicant's wish should foster increased resilience and unlock possibilities for the future. The impact of a wish is not just limited to the joy it brings but also the lasting, positive effect it has on the child, their family, and their community.
It is important to note that Make-A-Wish Australia is the only children's charity in Australia that focuses solely on granting wishes. They aim to grant the wish of every eligible child in Australia with a life-threatening illness and do not allocate donations to individual children, illness categories, or geographies.
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Application process
Make-A-Wish Australia accepts applications for children and teens between the ages of 3 and 18. Younger children are eligible to receive a wish hamper, which contains a selection of age-appropriate toys for children under 3. Applications can be made from a child's third birthday until their 18th birthday, and the wish experience can take place after their 18th birthday if they remain medically eligible.
To apply, you must first select the option that best describes your relationship to the child you are applying for. Options include parents or legal guardians, the child themselves, a relative or friend of the family, or a health or social care professional. After selecting the relevant option, you will be directed to a form that should take no longer than 5-10 minutes to complete.
It is important to note that Make-A-Wish Australia does not accept applications from children who have previously received a wish from them or any other wish-granting organisation in Australia or overseas. Once an application is approved, Make-A-Wish Australia works closely with local volunteers, the family, and the broader community to bring the wish to life.
If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact the Wish team by calling 1800 032 260 or emailing [email protected]. If you have not heard back from them within 10 business days, they encourage you to get in touch for an update.
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Fundraising and donations
Make-A-Wish Australia is a charity that relies on donations and supporters to grant wishes for critically ill children and teens between the ages of 3 and 18. The charity accepts donations through various channels, including online donations, fundraising events, and clothing donation bins.
For those interested in donating to Make-A-Wish Australia, the charity provides multiple options. Individuals can choose to make a one-time donation or become regular donors by signing up for the Wish Express. Regular donors receive an annual tax statement by the end of July each year. Donations can be made by calling the Make-A-Wish team or by submitting an online form. Additionally, donors have the option to dedicate their donation to someone special, such as a wish child, by selecting 'in celebration' or 'in memory' on the donation form.
Make-A-Wish Australia also organises fundraising events to raise funds and engage the community. For instance, they encourage supporters to host bake sales and create unique tree decorations for wish families. These events not only raise funds but also create awareness and involve the community in granting wishes.
Another way to contribute is through the Make-A-Wish branded clothing donation bins located in shopping centres and car parks across Australia. These bins are operated by Uturn (formerly known as King Cotton Australia), and Make-A-Wish receives a portion of the proceeds as a charity beneficiary.
Volunteering is also a vital aspect of fundraising and donation efforts. The Wish Force, consisting of over 850 volunteers across Australia, plays a crucial role in bringing life-changing wishes to reality for critically ill children. Volunteers can join this global community and experience the impact of granting wishes to those in need.
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Volunteers and community
Volunteers are at the heart of every wish experience at Make-A-Wish Australia. The organisation is made up of a passionate community of volunteers who bring hope and joy to sick kids and their families. Make-A-Wish Australia welcomes people from all walks of life to get involved and be part of the world's largest wish-granting charity.
Volunteers can participate in a range of activities, including supporting families on their Wish Journey, organising fundraisers, and spreading the word about Make-A-Wish in their local communities. There are various volunteer roles available, such as branch volunteers, event volunteers, corporate volunteers, and office volunteers. Branch volunteers are active in their local communities, working with local wish families and participating in fundraising activities. Event volunteers get involved in a more ad-hoc manner, often for a single shift or day during a local Make-A-Wish event. Corporate volunteering is a program for businesses looking to inspire their teams and give back, while office volunteers assist with administrative tasks such as phone calls, data entry, and mailings.
Volunteers can choose when and how they would like to contribute, and there is no special skill set required for most roles. However, certain skills such as multilingual proficiency, graphic design, photography, and carpentry are valued and can be utilised on an as-needed basis. Volunteers also have the opportunity to meet fellow volunteers at monthly branch meetings and connect with other #WishForce volunteers across Australia through the dedicated online Community platform.
Make-A-Wish Australia provides training and support to its volunteers, ensuring they are equipped to communicate and work effectively with children, young people, and their families. Volunteers can also look forward to meeting awesome people, making lifelong friends, learning new skills, and boosting their confidence and wellbeing by doing something meaningful for their communities.
The impact of volunteering with Make-A-Wish Australia is profound, as volunteers work together to turn wishes into reality and create lasting memories for wish kids and their families.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Make-A-Wish Australia is a children's charity that grants wishes to Australian children and teens aged between 3 and 18 years old.
Make-A-Wish Australia is a charity that grants wishes to critically ill children and teens.
Make-A-Wish accepts applications from eligible children, their families, and medical teams. Once an application is approved, the charity works with local volunteers, the family, and the broader community to bring the wish to life.
You can apply for a wish through the Make-A-Wish Australia website. You don't need to know your wish to apply, and applications are open to parents/legal guardians, the child themselves, friends or relatives of the family, and health or social care professionals.
Make-A-Wish Australia grants a variety of wishes, from VIP experiences at sporting events to magical unicorn rides over Sydney Harbour. Wishes are unique to each child and can provide hope, joy, and increased resilience.
