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Rays of Sunshine

@raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social

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Charity that brightens the lives of seriously ill children across the UK by granting magical wishes and providing ongoing support in hospitals and within the community https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/

raysofsunshine.org.uk

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Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Apr 23

You can't have Bluesky without a bit of sunshine too right? 🌞

Hello 👋 we're Rays of Sunshine, we brighten the lives of seriously and terminally ill children across the UK by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospitals and within the community.

Find out more: raysofsunshine.org.uk

Rays of Sunshine

Rays of Sunshine charity brightens the lives of seriously ill children across the UK aged 3 to 18 by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospitals.

raysofsunshine.org.uk

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 1d

Jake has had to spend a lot of his childhood in hospital to treat his kidney cancer,

His mascot experience was the perfect way to have fun outside hospital and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Thank you to @newcastleunited.com for making Jake's wish so special🌞

Jake cheering for Newcastle along with the other mascots.

Jake flexing at the camera on the pitch.

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Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 1d

Jake’s dream day with Newcastle⚽

8-year-old Jake is a huge football fan, so for his wish we sent him to become a mascot for Newcastle United. He was able to meet all the players and even walk out onto the pitch before the match.

Jake smiling on the pitch infront of a Newcastle United sign

Jake walking on to the pitch with Newcastle's Tino Livramento

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Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 7d

Today’s #GiftAidAwarenessDay! 📢

UK taxpayers, did you know you can boost your donations by 25% at no extra cost?

Help us grant more magical wishes for seriously ill children like Ollie ✨

Update your details & #TickTheBox: https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/gift-aid/

A smiling child with a parrot on their head, wearing a yellow shirt. Text reads: "Tick the box ✔️ Grant more wishes."

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 8d

Beth has complex needs and has to spend lots of time in hospital, but her party wish was a wonderful way for her to make memories with all her loved ones.

Thank you to our supporters who help us make wishes like Beth's come true! 🎈

A smiling young girl in pink glasses sits on a man's lap, eagerly looking at a colorful birthday cake with "10" candles.

Young girl in a colorful dress and pink sunglasses smiles while holding onto a metal fence at a petting zoo, with sheep in the background.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 8d

Beth's "zoo-per" birthday wish 🎂

5-year-old Beth loves animals, so for her wish we organised a birthday party with some cuddly creatures on the guest-list!

Beth's petting zoo party included a donkey, sheep & more. And there was plenty of cake and party bags to go round 🫧

Family celebrating a birthday, sitting together with colorful balloons and gifts in the background. A large pink number 5 balloon is visible.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 9d

Watch Stefan's wish come true! ⚽

13-year-old football superfan Stefan lives with chronic kidney disease. For his wish, he got to meet his hero Ben Nuttall at Wolves’ Molineux ⚽🐺

Thank you to everyone involved in making Stefan's wish so special!

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 10d

Did you know there are 2 ways to leave a gift in your Will? 🤔

A Pecuniary Gift – a fixed amount
A Residual Gift – a % of what’s left after bills & taxes

Both can create a legacy that shines on for seriously ill children.

Start yours: https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/

Sun mascot with "Residual vs Pecuniary?" thought bubble. Text reads: "The different ways you can remember Rays of Sunshine in your will..."

A smiling child in a firefighter costume holds a brick. Text reads: "A residual gift: A percentage of your estate left after loved ones and commitments."

Yellow square with the text: "A pecuniary gift. A fixed sum of money left to a chosen cause in your will." Child on a toy bike at the bottom right.

Rays of Sunshine mascot with a message: "Every penny helps grant magical wishes for seriously ill children across the UK."

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 14d

Ethan was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a cancer that affects his vision. His wish was the perfect way to have some fun with his family!

Thank you to LEGLOAND and all our supporters who help make wishes like Ethan's happen🌞

Smiling boy in a Juventus jersey stands beside a LEGO display featuring a LEGO figure in a hat and suit, with colorful bricks around.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 14d

Ethan's awesome LEGOLAND wish 🎢

We sent 7-year-old Ethan to @legolandwindsor.bsky.social where he got to enjoy the weekend with his family. They spent hours exploring the park and going on lots of rides!

Ethan posing with a life-sized mummy lego

Ethan and his sister holding up a piece sign on a roller coaster ride.

Ethan and his sister posing by a treasure chest.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 15d

Change starts with a will 💛

This Free Wills Month, leave a legacy that shines for seriously ill children by leaving a gift to Rays of Sunshine in your will.

We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy to make it easier than ever. Start yours here: https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/

Text reads: "Did you know? £4.5 billion was gifted to charities across the UK last year through gifts left in wills." Pie chart included.

Text reads: "That's the equivalent of the amount raised by over 61 London Marathons!" Below, six joyful marathon runners in yellow shirts celebrate.

"Claim your free will. Write or update your will online, over the phone, or in person today. Get Started button and three joyful children."

Smiling child with painted face and helmet holds gifts on a tricycle, next to a woman dressed in blue. Text promotes Rays of Sunshine charity.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 16d

Shoutout to Smyths Toys 💛

Their support since 2021 has helped us spread smiles & magic to seriously ill children across the UK.

We can’t wait for another year of joy together! 🪄

Smiling children holding toys with text saying, "Thank you Smyths Toys!" on a bright yellow background.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 20d

At a time when demand for our services has never been greater, the money raised will help us continue brightening the lives of seriously ill children.

Thank you to our staff, Trustees, Patrons, Ambassadors, partners and all who joined us for making the night a magical one 🌞

Sajid Javid and Lord Richard Harrington seated on stage at a Rays of Sunshine event, engaging with an audience.

A man in a suit speaks at a podium to a large, formally dressed audience seated at round tables in a warmly lit banquet hall.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 20d

We had an incredible auction, and speeches from Rays of Sunshine co-founder Mark Shipman and wish dad Dave Lunn.

Dave, whose son Joe's wish we granted six years ago, spoke passionately about how our charity brightened the life of his son before he sadly passed in 2019.

A man speaks at a podium next to a screen displaying a sports image, addressing an audience seated at round tables in a warmly lit room.

A group of kids with diverse abilities, some in wheelchairs, smiling and wearing yellow "Rays of Sunshine" T-shirts, standing indoors.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 20d

What a night! Over £370,000 raised to grant even more wishes for seriously ill children! 🥳

Yesterday we welcomed supporters from the real estate and private equity industries to a fundraising dinner at The Berkeley in London.

Five people, four men and one woman, smiling and standing in front of a "Rays of Sunshine" backdrop at an event.

A man speaks passionately into a microphone while standing beside a podium with "Rays of Sunshine" branding, during an event.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 21d

From skill challenges and a behind-the-scenes stadium tour, to scoring a goal on the pitch at half-time, Stefan’s wish was nothing short of unforgettable.

We’re so proud to have given Stefan a wish that will inspire him for years to come 💛

A young boy named Stefan holds a personalized soccer jersey with the number 13 alongside a smiling soccer player in an empty stadium.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 21d

13-year-old Stefan lives and breathes football. Living with chronic kidney disease, football has always been his escape ⚽

For his wish, he met World Record–holding freestyler and Rays of Sunshine Ambassador Ben Nuttall & film a video at his beloved Wolves’ home ground! 🐺💛🖤

A family and a football player pose on a soccer field. The player wears an orange jersey, while two children and a woman hold a soccer ball. Stadium lights and a misting sprinkler are visible in the background.

A family of five sitting in a soccer team's locker room, surrounded by yellow jerseys on hangers. The children wear casual sportswear.

A young boy in a Wolves jersey stands on a football field, smiling and giving a thumbs-up, next to a man in an orange shirt taking a selfie.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 23d

A princess wish come true 👑

We granted 7-year-old Isla's wish to see the King & Queen's house, with afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace! After treatment for leukaemia, it was the perfect way to make new memories 💛

Thanks to all who helped make Isla's wish happen 🌞

A family poses in front of Buckingham Palace gates. The girl wears a colorful princess dress and tiara; parents smile beside her.

Young girl smiling in a colorful princess dress with a unicorn design, wearing a tiara and holding a sparkly wand, standing indoors.

Smiling young girl in a princess dress and tiara stands in front of Buckingham Palace, viewed through black iron gates.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 28d

Huge thanks to Izzy & her best friend Eva, who took on a skydive & raised £2K for us!

After her wish to meet Olympic champion Adam Peaty reignited her love for swimming, Izzy wanted to help us grant more wishes ✨

Inspired? Take on your own challenge https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/support-us/

Two smiling teen girls in skydiving jumpsuits point at each other inside a skydiving centre.

Two swimmers in a pool, smiling and flexing their arms. The man wears a red swim cap and goggles; the woman wears a blue cap and goggles.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · 29d

Watch 6-year-old Hari’s wish come true 💛⚽

After cancer treatment, his wish was to meet Liverpool FC — and he got the VIP superfan experience of a lifetime!

Thank you to Liverpool, and all our supporters who make wishes like this possible 💛

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Sep 16

You can also catch us handing out free Doughlicious treats at London train stations on these dates:

📍16th Sept – Victoria
📍23rd Sept – London Bridge
📍30th Sept – High St Kensington
📍7th Oct – Liverpool Street

A group of smiling people in blue "Dough-licious" shirts pose with a cart of cookie dough samples outside a London Underground station.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Sep 16

WIN a YEAR of Doughlicious cookie dough + gelato bites! 🍪

We’ve teamed up to get more ‘Dough-nations’ & grant magical wishes for seriously ill children 💛

Enter now 👉 https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/doughlicious/

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Sep 9

Find out more and get involved in National Teddy Bear Day: https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/national-teddy-bear-day/

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Sep 9

1,500 bears for seriously ill children 🐻

A teddy can be a big comfort to a child in hospital. That's why we've packed 1,500 kits so young patients can celebrate National Teddy Bear Day.

Thank you to The Clermont and F. W. Smith, Riches & Co for helping us pack these special deliveries!

A diverse group of smiling people holding colorful teddy bears and gift bags, suggesting a charitable event or donation drive.

Group of eight smiling people posing with colorful teddy bears in an office with "Rays of Sunshine" on the wall behind them.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Sep 4

6-year-old Hari LOVES Liverpool FC. For his wish, we arranged for him to meet his beloved team 💛⚽

After dealing with cancer so young, Hari's mum said his wish "allowed us to feel ‘different’ for the right reasons."

Thank you to our supporters who make experiences like this happen💛

Young girl smiling and holding a signed Liverpool FC jersey indoors, with a view of a football training field in the background.

Mohamed Salah poses with a family, including two adults and three children wearing Liverpool jerseys, holding autographed soccer balls.

Rays of Sunshine @raysofsunshinecc.bsky.social · Sep 1

7-year-old Mia is Harry Potter mad, so for her wish, we sent her to the Harry Potter tour.

We also worked with our friends at Georgian House Hotel to make her wish even more special - booking her into one of their amazing Wizard Rooms!

It was the perfect magic wish after her cancer treatment 🌞

A smiling young girl stands in front of a replica Hogwarts Great Hall dining table, featuring wizard robes and ornate desserts.

A child in a Harry Potter robe playfully pretends to push a luggage trolley halfway through the wall at Platform 9¾, King's Cross.

A young girl in a white shirt and black and red robe stands smiling in a doorway. A "no entry" sign is visible on the door behind her.

A young girl smiling while holding a large plant stem in a greenhouse, surrounded by potted plants and people in the background.