Through their campaign, Wish 200 Week, the charity Make-A-Wish UK is bringing together gamers, content creators and the games industry to help grant 200 wishes for critically ill children across the country.
Creators already signed up to take part include DanTDM; Slogo and Jelly; and Smallish Beans from Hermitcraft server. From 22 until 28 July audiences will be able to watch their favourite gamers such as Knightenator, Becsters and SariaSlays stream challenges, and support in raising vital funds for Make-A-Wish UK. The charity is encouraging as many creators to sign up and take part as possible.
To kick off this year, ten-year-old Ewan Reeve from Isle of Wight, was granted his wish to meet YouTubers Slogo and Jelly after finding much needed distraction and community with their gaming videos whilst recovering from surgery for a brain tumour.
“It came out of the blue. He hadn't been poorly for very long,” said mum Stefanie.
In August of 2022, after an MRI scan revealed that her then eight-year-old son had a brain tumour, Mum and Ewan were rushed to Southampton Hospital.
Just three weeks after his initial symptoms, Ewan underwent surgery to remove the tumour. Ewan then began a seven-week course of intense radiotherapy in London, followed by a four blocks of high dose chemotherapy in Southampton - a world away from the family home in the Isle of Wight.
Ewan’s diagnosis not only separated him from his brother and dad - it robbed him of his basic skills. As Mum told us, “After his surgery, he had lost most of his mobility on his right side, so he had to learn how to eat, walk and write again.”
But there was one thing that allowed Ewan to connect with his brother whilst in hospital - catching up on Slogo and Jelly’s latest YouTube videos.
“The night before his brain tumour operation, I said we can put their videos on to put his mind into a good place. When he came round from the operation, he could barely talk but asked to watch their videos. We were in hospital for four and a half months, completely isolated from the outside world. We had to create our own comfort and Slogo and Jelly were it.”
When the family found out they were eligible to have a wish granted by Make-A-Wish, it was this love for Slogo and Jelly’s videos that inspired Ewan’s wish to meet them.
More than 63,000 children in the UK like Ewan have been diagnosed with a critical condition and are eligible for a wish. That number is estimated to reach over 73,000 by 2030.
During their time together, Slogo, Jelly and Ewan sat down to play Minecraft, building a mansion with the Minecraft pros before battling some zombies, Ewan's favourite part of the wish. Even Ewan’s brother Finley, also a fan of the gaming duo, was able to have a play.
Make-A-Wish UK has seen a 400% increase in gaming-related wishes in recent years, with more children than ever finding a lifeline in gaming whilst undergoing treatment for critical conditions, meaning many of the wishes will go to members of the gaming community themselves. 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.
“After having gone through so much he was quite shy, but on his wish, he was chatting to Slogo and Jelly so much- he was so confident!” expressed Mum Stefanie. For her, the highlight of the wish was “seeing him so happy meant so much for Ewan and I, it’s all you want as a parent.”
The charity is calling on studios and developers, gamers and streamers to get involved with Wish 200 Week and grant wishes with every game to raise funds for 200 wishes for critically ill children just like Ewan.
Rob Small, President and Co-Founder of Miniclip, helped the charity to create the Wish 200 Week campaign. Rob said: “I’m very proud to support Wish 200 Week again this year. Over the years it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact that wishes can have on critically ill children.
“For children battling critical illness, there is no time to wait for a wish that could bring joy, healing and strength during their toughest times and Make-A-Wish UK needs our help to grant more wishes, sooner – before it’s too late. The community spirit we have in the games industry is unmatched, so it’s no surprise that so many people come together each year and harness that to help create incredible memories for families to treasure forever, no matter what the future holds. I would urge everyone to join us in making this Wish 200 Week the biggest yet.”
Partners supporting the campaign include Miniclip, First Touch Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Overclockers UK, Logitech G, Play Ventures, Playrix, Diva Agency and Perpetual Games.
Jason Suckley, Chief Executive at Make-A-Wish UK said “Every child deserves to wish for more than a life defined by illness. Gaming is a lifeline for children undergoing treatment and unable to attend school or clubs with their friends. It allows children to leave behind the everyday realities of their condition, bringing entertainment, connection and achievement into their lives. A growing number of our wishes are gaming focused, and we know these gaming related wishes have a hugely positive impact on improving a young person’s mental health at a time when they need it the most. We are calling on streamers, gamers, and industry partners to take part in Wish 200 Week by streaming, fundraising and donating to help us to grant even more wishes, sooner.”
Wishes granted provide respite and distraction from the challenges critically ill children like Ewan face every day. To find out how to get involved in the campaign visit: make-a-wish.org.uk/wish200week.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
We do not use the phrase ‘terminally ill’ and ask that you follow suit because some poorly children and young people are not made aware of the exact nature of their diagnosis, and we respect their family’s approach to their situation. Some also recover.
About Make-A-Wish UK
Make-A-Wish UK is part of a global movement creating life-changing wishes. Our only goal is to turn tears into cheers by giving children facing critical illness the chance to dream big even when they might not have long to live. No matter what the future holds, we create lasting memories families will treasure forever. Make-A-Wish® UK Charity Registration Nos. 295672/SC037479. To find out more about Make-A-Wish please visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk or follow @makeawishuk on social media.
Please refer to us as Make-A-Wish® UK in the first instance to distinguish us from affiliates in other countries and hyperlink to our website when you mention the charity online: www.make-a-wish.org.uk