Rays of Sunshine grants 9,000 wish with help from The Fragrance Shop and ambassador Olly Murs

Rays of Sunshine is delighted to announce it has granted its 9,000 wish in 21 years – a meet and greet with Olly Murs for 18-year-old Sanna.  

The wish was delivered with support from The Fragrance Shop, a longstanding corporate partner of Rays of Sunshine. Sanna is currently on the transplant list and undergoing treatment for end-stage kidney failure, and was invited to The Fragrance Shop’s high-tech FQ (Fragrance Quarters) in Manchester alongside Olly, for a day of pampering and photography.  

Sanna was diagnosed with renal disease shortly after birth. She received her first kidney transplant in 2013, aged just eight. Unfortunately, this transplant failed in 2016, which has left her relying on dialysis treatment several times a week.  

 “I have to be in hospital quite a lot, but as I’ve got older I have learned to accept it more,” says Sanna. “It was scary when I was younger, but now I understand a lot more about why I have to go through certain painful procedures – and that makes me less afraid.”  

Sanna’s special day began with a Q&A with Olly, where she got to ask him all sorts of questions – including what his favourite colour is. As a loyal ambassador of Rays of Sunshine, he of course said yellow!  

When she’s not in the hospital, Sanna is passionate about her studies in photography. When she mentioned this to Olly and The Fragrance Shop team, they instantly welcomed her to put her own creative spin on her wish. From behind the camera, Sanna directed Olly to strike poses – resulting in some great pictures which Sanna can use for her professional portfolio.   

“My favourite bit of the day was definitely being able to get behind the camera with Olly. I pretended that I was shooting an advert for the perfumes we made, and I think the pictures came out really well!” Sanna says.   

Reflecting on the wish, Sanna adds: “My confidence was lacking before the wish. But even with that one experience, I feel louder. I’m not scared to say what I want to say.”    

Sanna’s wish with Olly marks the 9,000 wish granted by the Rays of Sunshine team in its 21-year history.   

Amy Chambers, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Rays of Sunshine, shared her thoughts on the day: “We are so pleased that Sanna’s wish was such a special day, and that she felt like the VIP she is. Sanna’s confidence lit up the room and she made us all smile as she snapped away, laughing and joking with Olly. We are so grateful to our Ambassador, Olly and his team, as well as our friends at The Fragrance Shop for helping us make Sanna’s wish come true, after everything she has been through.  

“Both Olly and The Fragrance Shop have been loyal supporters of Rays of Sunshine for more than a decade and we are immensely grateful for their support in helping us grant magical wishes for seriously ill children. What a way to ring in our 9,000 wish, and celebrate our 21st year!”  

Read the full story behind Sanna’s wish here.