Make a wish come true this Christmas
This Christmas, more than 14,000* children are living with a critical illness in Australia, just like Karter. You can make sure they don't wait a second longer to unwrap the life-changing gift of a wish.
Your donation today will help spark hope and joy, not just for the wish child, but their family and whole community too.
'I wish to be part of the Bombers for a match', Karter, 9, cerebral palsy
Defying the Odds
For 9-year-old Karter (who goes by Karty), life has always been full of challenges. Born ten weeks prematurely, he and his twin brother, Chase had a rough start in the world. But for Karty, the journey became even more difficult when doctors discovered a bleed on his brain, resulting in cerebral palsy.
But despite the doctors' early predictions that Karty would never walk or communicate, he’s defied the odds. While he may not walk, he talks the ears off anyone who will listen, especially about his favourite AFL team, the Essendon Bombers.
Karty's Wish
Thanks to Karty’s grandma, whom he calls ‘Nan Jan’, he’s now a full-blown Bombers-buff! He knows all the players’ names and numbers, and Nan Jan often takes him to open training sessions and games.
He’s now a familiar face to many of the Essendon players who remember him for his cheeky and charismatic nature. So it’s no surprise that Karty wished ‘to be a part of the Essendon Footy Team for a match.’
But Karty’s wish wasn’t just about meeting the players—it was about giving him an experience where, for once, he was the centre of attention.
The only time it’s all about him, is whether we can get his wheelchair into something... So this was just something special for him.
Jessica, Karty's mum
Star of the Wish
For Karty, his wish wasn’t just an average day at the footy. It was a whole week of unforgettable moments. From being welcomed like a VIP at a hotel, to training with his footy idols, to arriving at the AFL Round 19 Match between his Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows in a limousine—every part of the experience was designed to make Karty feel like a star.
Give now to make a wish come true this Christmas
Every child deserves a Christmas full of joyful experiences.
Right now, a child like Karty is dealing with the pain, fear, and loss of childhood caused by critical illness.
You have a unique and powerful opportunity to ensure these children don’t wait any longer than they have to for the life-changing hope and joy that only a wish can bring.
When you make a wish come true this Christmas you are giving a child with critical illness a gift like no other.
*Source: Bowers AP. (2022) Estimate of the number of children aged 3 to 17 years with a life-limiting condition in Australia. Figure estimated using data obtained under a Public Health Act granted for Bowers AP. Planning for paediatric palliative care services in Queensland: Characteristics, demographics and health needs of children and young people with life-limiting conditions [unpublished PhD thesis]. Brisbane: Queensland University of Technology; 2020. Contact ap.bowers@qut.edu.au for further information.