'People of Cork have been a massive support to Make-A-Wish through the years': Wish Week 2025 to raise vital funds

Make-A-Wish Ireland will be collecting funds in Cork next week as part of their annual Wish Week campaign.

Wish Week 2025, running from today to Friday, will see the charity put an even greater focus on community fundraising efforts nationwide, with supermarket and on-street bucket collections throughout the week.

Make-A-Wish Ireland receives no government funding and relies entirely on public donations and corporate support to continue its work. This year, its4women Insurance will be sponsoring the national fundraising.

In Cork, bucket collections will be held in Dunnes Stores in both Charleville and Douglas on Friday. Conor Stone from Make-A-Wish said that any support would be appreciated.

“The people of Cork have been a massive support to Make-A-Wish through the years and we are delighted to be back in multiple locations across the county for Wish Week 2025.

“Bucket collections will take place in Dunnes Stores Douglas and Charleville on Friday, April 4. Any support from the public at these locations would be incredible and will help to grant magical wishes during 2025.”

Every year in Ireland, it is estimated that 650 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, but only 33% apply for a wish. A spokesperson for the charity explained that hundreds of children are not coming forward, either because families don’t know about the charity, or they feel others are “more deserving”.

Susan McQuaid-O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland, encouraged people to support the campaign: “The psychological and medical benefits of wish-granting are backed by research, and we hear daily how wishes can reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and even aid medical recovery.

“We are thrilled to be working with its4women this year, making it possible to increase bucket collections and engage local communities in this vital campaign.”

People can contribute via https://makeawish.ie/ or Revolut to help Make-A-Wish reach more children in need.