Helping to make wishes come true

Mineral Resources Limited, based in Sleat Road, has promised $75,000 a year for the next three years to Make-A-Wish Australia.

This will fund at least 10 wishes each year for children with life-threatening conditions.

The first wish recipient to benefit was five-year-old Lania Fitzgerald, whose wish was to go to the Gold Coast to visit the theme parks, especially Wiggles World at Dream World.

Lania was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2009 and her mother Sheena said she was excited to meet the people who would help grant her wish and the wishes of many other seriously ill children like her.

‘We are so excited to be heading off to the Gold Coast this weekend thanks to Make-A-Wish and Mineral Resources Limited,’ she said.

‘Lania has been through a lot these past few years, so it’s great that a local organisation is getting on board to help grant wishes like hers.’

Mr Ellison, a father of six, said he was happy the trip would bring joy to Lania and her family, who had ‘been through an awful lot’.

‘We wanted to give something back to those who need it most and it was impossible not to consider supporting Make-A-Wish,’ he said.

‘The assistance they provide to seriously ill children and distressed families makes all the difference in an otherwise difficult time.’

Since 1985, Make-A-Wish Australia has granted more than 7,000 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

To support Make-A-Wish, visit www.makeawish.org.au or call 1800 032 260 to make a donation.