The Olivers Wish Foundation was founded in memory of Oliver Dowling, who tragically passed away in his sleep in the autumn of 2015. Oliver made a huge impact on all those that he met. A born entertainer, he was full of life and touched everyone with his kind and gentle nature. Oliver gave so many happy memories to his family and friends during his short life and he will be remembered with love always.

The Oliver’s Wish Foundation is aiming to raise as much money as we can in Oliver’s memory for a range of charities that are focused on the support of children and young people.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,500 people in the UK. You are born with cystic fibrosis and cannot catch it later in life, but one in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without even knowing. The gene affected by CF controls the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. People with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body.

To have CF, you need to have inherited two faulty copies of the gene (one from each parent), and as there are many different gene mutations that cause cystic fibrosis, each person with the condition can have very different symptoms depending on the two genes they carry. While people with CF often look healthy on the outside, each individual is battling their own range of symptoms on a daily basis.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to fighting for a life unlimited by cystic fibrosis (CF) for everyone affected by the condition. Since we started in 1964 we have dedicated ourselves to promoting excellence in research and clinical care, as well as providing practical support and advice to people with CF and their families.

Our mission is to create a world where being born with CF no longer means a life-long struggle, when everyone living with the condition will be able to look forward to a long, healthy life.

SUDC UK is a charity dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). It also funds research to better understand and prevent these tragedies. The sudden unexplained death of a child is one of the most under-recognised medical tragedies of our time. Co-founded by three SUDC bereaved mothers in 2017, in memory of all SUDC children, the charity aims to make a difference by shining their light on Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.

Our vision is for SUDC to be predictable and preventable. SUDC UK is proud to link directly with our affiliate the SUDC Foundation for professional bereavement support. Together, our charities are the only organisations worldwide whose sole purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research, and support those affected by sudden unexplained death in childhood. SUDC UK is run by volunteers and provides all services at no cost to families or professionals. SUDC receives no government funding. SUDC UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity no 1175413).

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire. Thanks to support from the local community, children and families who know they don’t have long together have the chance to live life to the full and say goodbye in the way that is right for them.

The generosity of the local community makes this happen. Over £4 million is needed every year to provide hospice care for local children and their families. Very little of this comes from central government. The rest comes from the amazing donations we receive, fundraising, gifts in wills, shops, the Chestnut Tree House lottery and volunteering.

On a visit to Chestnut Tree House, kids can be astronauts for the day in the multi-sensory room, discover creepy crawlies on a woodland walk, or form their very own pop group in the music room. It is a place where parents can just be parents, and not carers, and where siblings have people to talk to who understand.

As well as care provided at the House, nurses visit families at home, taking children out to explore their local community, or simply giving tired families and carers the chance to take a well-earned break.

Then, when the time comes, we help families say goodbye, in whatever way feels right for them, at home or in the hospice itself. We offer ongoing bereavement support for the whole family.