Posted on 19th Jul
Nottinghamshire County Council’s new chairman, Coun Mike Quigley, has wasted no time in setting about his mission to help local children during his year in office.
He has announced that he will raise money for the charity When You Wish Upon A Star over the next year, and pledged that all monies raised will go to Nottinghamshire children.
With a target of raising £5,000, Coun Quigley will take on a variety of fundraising events and activities, including a virtual comedy event, a garden party, sponsored walks, and, hopefully, more ambitious events as national lockdown restrictions ease.
When You Wish Upon a Star aims to grant the wishes of children, aged four to 16, living with life-threatening illnesses.
The charity was founded in Nottingham by Barbara White, who was so inspired by a seriously ill four-year-old with a dream to meet Mickey Mouse, that she wanted to bring smiles to the faces of many more brave and courageous children. Since 1990, the charity has granted more than 18,500 wishes both in Nottingham and across the UK.
Coun Quigley said: “The reason I chose this particular charity is that I have a long association with both the hospice movement and young people. As a school governor for many years and latterly as chair of Diverse Academies Trust, which has special schools in the trust, I am well aware of the problems that parents and children with life-limiting conditions and disabilities face.
“If we can grant these children a lifetime experience through the charity, there will be memories for their families to cherish forever.
“All monies donated to my fundraiser will be spent on children in Nottinghamshire. There is already a number of wishes outstanding that I would be proud to help make come true.”
There are currently eight wishes waiting to be granted for children in Nottinghamshire. Between them, the children have wishes to visit Euro Disney, fly in a Spitfire, enjoy a Center Parcs holiday, go on a Euro Disney Cruise and visit Florida.
Alexa Wigfield, regional fundraiser at When You Wish Upon a Star, added: “I am really looking forward to working with Coun Quigley. With his help we will be able to continue granting magical wishes for children who are living with life-threatening illnesses.
“Each wish brings with it the opportunity to look forward to something very special, to forget about their often-painful treatments, and to simply be a child for the day, creating special treasured memories.”
To support the fundraising go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ncc-chairmancouncillorquigley
