Granting critically ill children’s wishes

Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Zealand Trust
Nurturing. Inclusive. Devoted.

Debbie Hoskins is the backbone of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Zealand.

For eight years, she has been the Volunteer and Medical Outreach Manager for Make-A-Wish, which grants the wishes of children aged three to seventeen who are living with a serious illness.

It’s thanks to Debbie’s support and encouragement that many of the 138 volunteers who work to make wishes come true have remained with the charity for years.

“The situations they walk into as volunteers can be emotionally challenging, so ensuring they practice self-care and knowing that I am always here to talk them through these challenges is a must,” she says.

Debbie, who is affectionately known as ‘Mrs Make-A-Wish’, also goes above and beyond her paid role, and so far has made 64 wishes come true as a volunteer.

Her generous spirit was on display when she came to the rescue when one child’s health deteriorated to the point that granting their wish became urgent.

She was able to arrange for the child to receive their wish, a racing cart, during the Christmas shut-down period.

“I’ve always believed that volunteering is the right thing to do in my role as it keeps me in touch with the challenges that our volunteer team face,” says Debbie.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation will use the funds to train and support volunteers.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here