Funding Boost To Help Youngsters' Christmas Dreams Come True

A Christmas event for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families has been given a four-figure boost by Allied Vehicles – one of Glasgow’s most prominent family firms.

Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation helps seriously-ill children meet their idols – from Ed Sheeran and McBusted to the Scotland football team – and go to gigs, theatre, shows and outings to give them something to look forward to.

The Wishaw-based charity is holding a DreamMaker Christmas event on 3 December for children and their families at Hamilton Park.

“It will be a Grotto where the children and their siblings can visit Santa and get a gift, they will then go to the Elves toy shop and make their own soft toys, next they will go to Mrs Claus bakery and decorate cookies,” said charity manager Angela Cook.

“The families will all sit down to lunch before ending the event by meeting two wee magical unicorns."

“We will have lots of Elves and Princess characters there to entertain and help the kids, a DJ for some Xmas music and of course Santa. We buy gifts for all the sick children and their siblings, pay for the DJ, and all the food, sweets and drinks and each child will go away with a Christmas Eve Gift Bag."

“The wee unicorns are so important to the day because they are so magical and some of the kids are really struggling with their mental health due to treatments and length of time in hospital. These unicorns seem to work wonders and give the kids so much self-esteem and confidence.”

Angela approached Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust to see if they could help with the cost of the event and received notification of a £4,000 donation in an email from Allied Vehicles owner Gerry Facenna.

She said: “Oh my goodness, I am overwhelmed reading this email. This donation from Allied Vehicles means that our DreamMaker Christmas Event will be so special for the sick children and their families.”

“There are so many children registering with our small charity every week and we want to be able to make their Christmas as special as we can.”

Gerry added: “This is a small charity with only three staff members and they do a brilliant job helping dreams come true for these brave youngsters. I hope our donation will make their Christmas event a day to remember for them all.”