Kerry Beckett of its4women and Conor Stone from Make-A-Wish at the launch of Wish Week 2025.
Local collections will take place across Co Wicklow in support of Make-A-Wish Ireland’s annual Wish Week, which fundraises to grant life-changing wishes to children facing critical illnesses nationwide.
This year, Wish Week, is supported by online insurance broker its4women for the first time. Running from March 31 to April 4, with bucket collections taking place in Dunnes Stores in Blessington and Newtownmountkennedy, and on-street in Wicklow town on Friday, April 4.
Make-A-Wish Ireland receives no government funding and relies entirely on public donations and corporate support to continue its work.
Every year in Ireland, it is estimated that 650 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, but only 33pc apply for a wish. That means hundreds of children who could experience the hope and strength a wish provides are not coming forward—either because families don’t know about the charity, or they feel others are “more deserving”.
Susan McQuaid-O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland, said: “The psychological and medical benefits of wish-granting are backed by research, and we hear daily how wishes can reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and even aid medical recovery.”
Conor Stone from Make-A-Wish added: “The people of Wicklow have been a massive support to Make-A-Wish through the years and we are delighted to be back in multiple locations for Wish Week 2025. Bucket collections will take place in Dunnes Stores Blessington and Newtownmountkennedy, as well as on-street in Wicklow town on Friday, April 4. Any support from the public at these locations would be incredible and will help to grant magical wishes in the region during 2025.”
You can also contribute via makeawish.ie or Revolut to help Make-A-Wish reach more children in need.