Delivery firm DPD is aiming to raise £200,000 to help grant wishes to 100 critically ill children.

The fundraising is taking place after it partners with the charity Make-A-Wish.

The wishes can range from a child meeting their hero or going on a family holiday.

Staff at DPD will take place in fundraising over the next year through events and challenges. Each pound raised will be matched by DPD.

In addition, DPD staff will have the opportunity to volunteer for the charity.

“We’re delighted to announce this new partnership with DPD today,” said Make-A-Wish UK chief executive Jason Suckley.

“Wishes have the power to cut through the gruelling daily reality of life for a child with a critical illness, rescuing the magic of childhood and providing a much-needed escape from ongoing treatments, endless hospital stays, and uncertainty.

“The growing demand for wishes means more families are having to wait for their wish, but for some children, there is no time to wait. It’s thanks to partners like DPD, and their invaluable support that ensures more children will receive the life-changing power of a wish.

“The funds raised by DPD and their staff will help us to grant more wishes for families and provide strength during their toughest times.

DPD chief executive Elaine Kerr said: “It is impossible to really understand what families go through when a child is critically ill, but all of us can imagine how difficult it must be and how important it is to try and create joy and some incredible memories.

“To be able to contribute in any way to that is all the motivation we need this year to absolutely smash our target.”

Among the children supported by the charity is eight-year-old Hunter from Cambridgeshire, who has been diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, whose wish was to sleep with lions.

This was fulfilled when he had the chance to stay at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent in its treehouse lodge, which has a panoramic view of its lion enclosure.

“Most people don’t realise what these children go through,” said Hunter’s mum Tanya.

“They might see ill children on TV, but when you’re in that ward it's raw. What you see is heartbreaking. They experience so much pain with treatment and surgeries. But a wish gives them a needed lift and a boost - something to look forward to.

“We experience a lot of financial difficulty still because of Hunter’s diagnosis. So, to have a wish, to do something like that, is amazing.”

---