Wish 200 Week unites gaming community to raise over £300,000 for critically ill children

Make-A-Wish UK :

The campaign Wish 200 Week by the charity Make-A-Wish UK saw studios, developers, gamers and streamers come together with a host of activities in support of critically ill children. Over 45 content creators including DanTDM, Slogo, Jelly, and MumboJumbo took part granting wishes and raising over £300,000 helping the charity to grant more wishes sooner. 

Partners across the games industry came together to support the campaign this year including Miniclip, Tripledot, First Touch Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Overclockers UK, Logitech G, Play Ventures, Playrix, DPS Studios, Hypixel Studio, Diva Agency and Perpetual Games.

To mark the week, eight-year-old Michael Broad from Waterlooville in Hampshire, was granted his wish to meet his favourite YouTuber DanTDM. On July 22nd, Michael, his six-month-old brother Jasper, Mum Kayleigh, and Dad Dale spent the day at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre in London, where Michael had a unique one-on-one session with DanTDM. 

Michael has dealt with cystic fibrosis since an early age. As mum explained “He was diagnosed at three weeks old. The doctors said he had cystic fibrosis. We hadn't even heard of it.” Michael’s life has been dominated by physiotherapy and medication “he started physio at four weeks old and started meds at six months old. He takes Kaftrio now, the wonder drug, which has really improved the quality of his life.”   

Michael continues to take 25 tablets daily and physiotherapy three times a day.   

Cystic fibrosis meant that Michael and his family had to isolate during COVID.  It was during this time that Mum Kayleigh took out the family's old Nintendo WII. Since then, Michael has immersed himself in the world of gaming, especially during long hospital appointments when he turns to gaming YouTuber DanTDM’s videos for a needed escape.

As well as isolating during lockdown, the family has to be careful where Michael goes due to the increased risk of catching nasty bugs which could land him in hospital. “He sees other children being able to do things he can't do which isn't very nice for him. He has to get taken out of school for regular x-rays and ultrasounds and misses PE which he really likes.” But DanTDM’s videos have offered a positive spin on what would have been mundane hospital trips.   

“Watching DanTDM’s videos offers a distraction in hospital. We load everything up before we go on his iPad. Sometimes we'll be there for hours on end or overnight. He loves gaming, he does something surrounding it every day. He wants to be a YouTuber when he grows up!”   

Michael was given the VIP treatment whilst on the wish, being chauffeured around London by limo, sipping juice out of champagne glasses, and was even gifted an abundance of gaming goodies. 

The opportunity to meet his idol was a dream come true for Michael, providing a much-needed escape from his daily challenges. 

“He walked in and saw DanTDM; at that point, his cheeks went up, and I couldn't see his face properly, but I could tell that it had a huge smile on it!” shared Kayleigh. “Dan made him feel so comfortable and listened to him!”

DanTDM commented "I'm really pleased to be able to fulfil Mikey's wish. I've worked with Make-A-Wish for many years now and every time I get to come and meet a child, spend time with them and hopefully make their day a bit better, it means the world to me."

Other activity across the week saw the charity grant 6 wishes with PlayStation, an auction of gifts from gaming creators including Smallish Beans creating a custom build in this season’s Hermitcraft server and other games merchandise, and streams raising thousands from popular content creators including Knightenator, Geeky Cassie, Mcroft07, LucyJRobyn, Watermuch and RandomRebs

Jason Suckley, Chief Executive at Make-A-Wish UK said “We’re so grateful for all the support we’ve had during Wish 200 Week – the money raised has been incredible. We’ve 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. The money raised through our partners and content creators will help to grant wishes to members of the gaming community themselves.”

Throughout the year Make-A-Wish deliver programmes and activities with the games industry aiming to meet the growing demand for games-related wishes from critically ill children, to get involved visit our website.  

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

Click here to download high res images

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   

For more information about Make-A-Wish UK please contact [email protected] / 07814 277 048