Local Surrey Businessman Andrew Reynolds has been named as a 21st Anniversary Ambassador to Camberley based charity Make-A-Wish-Foundation UK.
Andrew Reynolds a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist approached the charity earlier in the year with an offer of funding support for granting wishes to children as well as providing ongoing fundraising opportunities for the charity and a firm commitment to raising the charities profile and awareness.
Make-A-Wish is a charity with a single purpose – to grant magical wishes to children and young people, aged 3 -17, fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Andrew Reynolds said “I am very honoured to become an ambassador for such a fantastically rewarding charity such as Make-A-Wish and look forward to working with them over the coming months.”
Make-A-Wish is currently celebrating their 21st birthday, having granted more than 4,400 wishes since their launch in 1986, and Andrew joins existing 21st Anniversary Ambassadors such as Esther Rantzan, Sir Paul McCartney and even Mickey Mouse.
In the UK over 20,000 children are living with life-threatening illnesses, a figure validated by recent research commissioned by Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.
For many families the Make-A-Wish memory can be the last happy memory they have of their child: having fun in a magical world, surrounded by family and friends – rather than memories of days and weeks of painful treatment in hospital.
Last year the charity raised nearly £3 million. This year the target is to raise £3.6 million – and in 2010, aim even higher and try to raise £5 million to realise their aim of granting 21 wishes a week.
CEO of Make-A-Wish, Neil Jones, said, “We are always delighted to have the support of local businesses and thank Andrew for his kind donation, his ongoing support for Make-A-Wish and also for accepting the role of Ambassador. With Andrew Reynolds support we will be able grant even more magical wishes to children in the local area and across the UK’.”
For further information please visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk