Impact Report 2024-25
Read about the magical impact our supporters had on the lives of seriously and terminally ill children across the UK
Download the full report<Our impact in 2024-2025>
A Sunshine Snapshot
60 Hospitals and specialist wards reached
8,435 Children reached by our Sunshine in Hospitals Events
286 Magical wishes granted for seriously and terminally ill children across the UK
35 Free and accessible Wish Community events hosted across the UK
1,554 Children, young people and adults attended our Wish Community Events
Over £2.2m raised to support our work
*all financial figures are subject to final audit and may be updated in the published Annual Report and Accounts
<Sunshine in Hospitals>
In 2024-25, 60 hospitals were supported by Rays of Sunshine through our Sunshine in Hospitals programme.
Our hospital team delivers sunshine to children up and down the country currently receiving treatment in hospitals. From our activity days to our sensory bags, we aim to reach children and their families when they need it the most.
The Sunshine in Hospitals programme is designed to reduce anxiety, loneliness, and isolation in the hospital environment for seriously and terminally ill children and their families.
Some highlights from the year included:
- International Day of Play where we funded Superhero activity days across six hospitals
- Our Christmas in Hospitals Grant which funded three festive celebrations in hospitals during the holiday season
- Our Liquid to Tablets initiative which helps seriously ill children transition from unpleasant liquid medicines to tablets, improving their confidence, independence, and treatment experience while benefiting the NHS.
“It was wonderful to see the children fully engaged and having fun despite being in hospital”
76 Sensory Bags delivered to 25 hospitals and 3,680 children
47 wards/hospitals reached on World Book Day to 3,700 children
12 Hospital Activity Days & Outreach events benefiting 1055 children
<286 Magical Wishes Granted>
Thanks to our supporters, we granted an amazing 286 wishes in 2024-2025!
That’s 286 magical and memorable moments for families of seriously ill children. Included in this, we granted 24 urgent wishes for children with a prognosis of less than 12 months.
These are children whose lives revolve around doctor’s appointments; hospital stays and treatment instead of school and time with family and friends.
They can feel isolated from their peers and forgotten about. Having a wish granted gives the child and their family something positive to focus on, something to look forward to and helps build confidence back when they need it the most.
Read more Wish Stories
Tom's terrific police officer wish
Meet police officer-in-training, Thomas 👮
Even when he was in hospital for his cancer treatment, 5-year-old Thomas would tell him mum he wanted to be a police officer when he was older. For his wish, we organised for him to become a police officer for the day at his local station!
He was inducted as an honorary police officer, which included touring the station and meeting the staff, seeing (and hearing!) the police cars and bikes, and testing out the different gear.
“For a long time, the only news he really had to share was related to his illness, hospitals or treatment. It has been so lovely that he now has something really exciting to share which is totally separate from what he’s been through.”
<35 Wish Community Events>
In 2024-25 we hosted 35 events (an increase on 24 the year before) attended by 1,554 Children, young people and adults.
Our events are designed for children and young people who have received a wish from Rays of Sunshine, and their families. From the moment the wish is granted, they become part of this community, and are invited to join in any of the events which take place throughout the year – across the UK.
We offer a ‘relaxed’, safe, fully accessible environment during our events so children and young people can feel free to be themselves whilst not being overwhelmed, and share valuable time with others in a setting which aims to boost their confidence. Our events help to bring wish families together, provide an opportunity to meet others who have faced similar experiences, and most importantly, have fun!
In 2024-2025, our Wish Community events included: Ferrari Day at Silverstone – racing around the iconic track, a VIP footy fan day at Wembley Stadium, exploring space in an online event, a summer family party with Milly Days, 12 fabulous Christmas events and so much more…
Find out more about Wish Community Events
22 different counties reached
£97.4k given as Gifts in Kind
12 - average age of wish child attendees
Finley's Wish Community Story
12-year-old Finley has lived with a brain tumour since he was a little boy, and has been part of the Rays of Sunshine Wish Community since his Disneyland Paris wish in 2016.
Finley’s treatment means he often uses a wheelchair to get around. Even still, his mum Debbie says he’s
been able to do things with Rays of Sunshine that he “couldn’t dream of otherwise.”
Finley is an adrenaline junkie at heart, so when his family saw our Wish Community Event at Chill Factore, in partnership with Disability Snowsports UK, they signed up straight away.
“Finley has been through so much – more than any child should have to but over the years I really think Rays of Sunshine has helped us raise him to be the happy and confident boy he is.”
It wouldn’t be possible without you, our supporters!
All of the magic wouldn’t be possible without you.
We receive no government funding and are reliant on generous donations from the public to fund our work, so we want to say a huge thank you to all our supporters for helping us to grant more magical wishes for seriously ill children.
Help us shine in 2026 and beyond
If you want to be part of our bright future and help us to reach more seriously ill children – get involved by fundraising, volunteering your time, or simply donating
We can’t wait to show you everything we have planned...
