Former wish children take on the London Marathon to give back to the charity that brought them hope!

Make-A-Wish UK is a charity which exists to grant life-changing wishes to critically ill children and their families when they need it the most.

Now proud members of STARboard, the charity’s young people’s advisory board, Molly and Darshan are running to help make even more life‑changing wishes possible.

For Darshan, the journey began at just nine-years-old, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and proton‑beam therapy left him exhausted and stripped of confidence. "I felt like I lost part of my childhood,” he said “I couldn’t have fun because I was constantly in hospital. It was impossible to be happy.” When Darshan found out he could have a wish, his passion for fitness sparked the perfect idea and he wished ‘to have home gym equipment’, giving him the tools to rebuild his strength and identity.

Now 18 and in remission, he’s determined to give back to the charity that helped him feel like himself again after such a hard time. As a STARboard member, he uses his voice to support other children facing critical illness.

“Make-A-Wish UK means so much to me and that’s why I’m determined to give back so other young people going through the toughest times can have something to look forward too.” – Darshan.

After spending a week with her grandparents, Molly suddenly became very unwell. Tests revealed a dangerously high white blood cell count, and she was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she was diagnosed with sepsis and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). What followed was a year away from school, rounds of chemotherapy, and painful complications that affected her mobility.

During this difficult time, Molly found out she could have a wish, and as a big motorsport fan, she knew exactly what she wanted. She wished ‘to go to the F1 British Grand Prix’. In 2024, her wish came true. From watching practice sessions and qualifiers to experiencing the race from the grandstand and exploring the paddock, Molly and her family created memories they will treasure forever.

“The wish was so special to me because it meant that I got to spend time with my family,” she said. “Knowing that it not only made me happy, but also my family, made the wish even more impactful, and it’s something we will treasure forever.”

Molly has now moved to remission and is also a dedicated member of STARboard, using her lived experience to support other children and help shape the charity’s work.

As both Molly and Darshan are gearing up for the Marathon, they are not only teammates but friends, united by their shared determination to ensure more children living with critical illness experience the life‑changing impact of a wish. Together, they’re running to bring hope, strength, and joy to those who need it most.

Make-A-Wish UK Head of Community and Volunteering, Liz Turner, said: “For a child with a critical illness, every-day life can feel impossible; let alone any dreams. But a wish can make impossible dreams, a reality. Seeing Darshan and Molly thriving and taking on new challenges to support us, is truly inspiring. Their journey’s are a powerful reminder of the lasting impact a wish can have - bringing hope, joy, and strength for the future. We’re incredibly grateful to all the amazing 2026 London Marathon runners fundraising for Make-A-Wish UK. Your support means the world to us and will help make more wishes like Darshan’s and Molly’s come true.”

If you would like to donate to help grant a wish to a child in the UK, please visit https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/donate/make-a-donation/