Hamleys hosts magical 'Wishmas' party for poorly children

On 24th November, 350 wish beneficiaries and supporters were invited to a special Christmas event at the iconic London toyshop.

The ‘Wishmas party’ was organised by The Genie’s Wish charity, which works to enhance the lives of people who are suffering from a critical or terminal illness or living with a life-limiting medical condition.

They also provide wish experiences to young carers aged 5-18 in recognition of the bravery, kindness, and selflessness they display by caring for a family member.

The event was made possible due to a £10,000 donation from The Quilter Foundation, the charity of wealth manager Quilter, through its Local Community Fund.

The event offered the children a break from their daily life stresses with a special Christmas experience at London’s oldest toy shop.

Speaking at the event, John Silk, Parent to Vicky and Charity Ambassador said: “I’d like to thank both The Genie’s Wish and the sponsors, The Quilter Foundation, for making our trip to Hamleys such a special day. Our Vicky (who likes to be called Queenie) had an amazing time. She has a terminal heart and lung condition, and we aim to make every day a special one, and this was one of those days. But it wasn't just Vicky who had a great day.

“As a parent of a child like Vicky, days like this lift the load from our shoulders. It gives us time to enjoy and see the rest of the family smile, laugh, and cry happy tears. I managed to speak to many other families, and it was so obvious that they were able to relax and enjoy, just like any other family would, taking a day to forget their worries.”

Katie Jones, executive director for The Genie’s Wish, said: “The Hamleys of London ‘Wishmas’ party allows wish recipients, their families, and our supporters to come together to celebrate the year and enjoy a fun festive morning in a more relaxed setting. It was a fantastic day and a chance for us to thank everyone personally for being a part of our mission, which was made possible due to Quilter’s kind donation.”

Harvey Rathore, partnerships manager for the Quilter Foundation, said: “Being able to support local community charities like The Genie’s Wish is a fundamental part of the Quilter Foundation’s work. We were delighted to be a part of such a special event held for these children and families, and we hope to continue championing local charities that are working tirelessly to support those who need it the most.”

The Quilter Foundation is dedicated to helping many thousands of young people who are experiencing challenges and is continuously looking for different ways in which it can support

local charities. This includes its recent three-year partnership with Meals & More and Feeding Britain, two charities that aim to eradicate child hunger across the UK.