This year Fields are partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland as both organisations continue to make people feel special in our own ways.

As part of our partnership, we have a series of interviews lined up with the Make-A-Wish team and with Make-A-Wish families to understand more about their great work and the impact it has on the children whose wishes are granted.

We will also be chatting to some of our own people to find out why this partnership is so important to us here at Fields.

Here, in her own words, Louise Murphy shares her personal reasons for becoming involved with Make-A-Wish and the impact of the wonderful work they do.

Tell us about yourself and how you got involved in the charity

My name is Louise and I have been involved with Make-A-Wish since 2018. I have worked within the various departments during this time supporting our team in numerous areas.

My experience as a mum who lost a child suddenly drew me to this amazing charity. I have huge admiration and a great understanding of what our families are going through. 

How does granting the wishes work?

For a child to receive a magical wish, and depending on their wish, we aim to give them some relief from hospital appointments, spend some quality time with their parents and especially their siblings, and create the most memorable time in their lives.

I am currently working with the Wish Granting Team. It is an amazing experience seeing at first hand a child’s Wish coming to light. 

Each Wish is individual to the Wish Child and is carefully thought out and planned. Our Wish Granters make the journey to grant a Wish very special with our volunteers visiting our families on several occasions before a wish is granted.

How beneficial is this partnership for the charity?

Without our partnership with Fields and our other supporters we would not be able to grant these incredible wishes. The star pendant for me is a symbol of guidance for our families.

Why do you love your job and what makes working with Make-A-Wish so special?

Working with Make-A-Wish is so special, I feel so honoured to be a part of such an incredible group of people. I love everything about my role, even the simplest of day-to-day activities, you know that what you are doing has such a profound impact on the lives of children all across Ireland who are suffering with life threatening medical conditions.

As a parent myself to two young children, it really hits home that every child, especially those going through the toughest times, needs joy and something magical to look forward to, and most importantly to feel like a child again.

In addition to being a fundraiser I also volunteer and have been privileged to capture some of our children’s wishes. I feel so fortunate to be so directly involved in their journey and those wishes hold a special place in my heart, as the children we meet with are just so remarkable, brave and resilient.

To work with our Wish children inspires me daily to work harder for them.

Any particular achievements, milestones or key dates for the organization?

In 2022, we are celebrating our 30th year of granting magical wishes to brave children in every community in Ireland. It’s a really special year for us as we look back on the impact we have had over the last three decades and remember with special fondness the Wishes that we have been so honoured to grant.

Every year we have our big campaigns like Wheels for Wishes in the summer, Walking challenges, Bake My Day in September and our Believe in Magic campaign at Christmas but this year we will be throwing in a few extra special events and returning to our in-person events for the first time in two years!We have a Golf Classic event and a Heroes Auction Lunch, both happening in May and our Wish Impact Awards in November, where we will get the opportunity to give our thanks to those that go above and beyond for our children, in real life!