When illness strikes, it’s normality which suffers, along with time with loved ones and family fun. But there are charities working hard to mend this gap, by offering seriously ill children and adults the opportunity for days out, with all the care they need to make these the best they can be
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2016 issue 4
This issue, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of charity Give Kids the World (GKTW) (page 52), which works to create magical moments for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Led by CEO Pamela Landwirth, GKTW raises around $40m every year in cash and kind to run its specially adapted village in Kissimmee, Florida, where children stay while visiting the state’s many attractions. Over 8,000 children are hosted each year, while many more are given access to the on-site facilities while staying elsewhere.
This is just one example of the amazing work which is quietly going on, day in and day out across the attractions world, enabling children to make great memories with their families and to have fun in spite of the many and varied health, mobility and financial challenges they face.
Also celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016 is Dreamflight, a UK-based charity co-founded by Patricia Pearce and Derek Pereira to raise money to take deserving children to Walt Disney World and other attractions in Florida.
Dreamflight gives the children a holiday of a lifetime, with adventures, camaraderie and life-changing experiences worth many thousands of dollars, much of it donated by attractions operators. It has helped over 5,000 children to date.
Also working to support children in a range of challenging circumstances, Merlin’s Magic Wand, the charity arm of Merlin Entertainments, gives tickets and assistance to children who are in foster care or who have recently been adopted or orphaned, as well as children of terminally ill parents, those who are victims of abuse and also young carers.
And this special work isn’t limited to the theme park sector. In the Netherlands, Stitching Ambulance Wens Nederland (Ambulance Wish Foundation) has helped 6,000 people to fulfil their last requests since its formation in 2007.
With a staff of 200 medically-trained volunteers, the charity helps those who have become immobilised by illness, fulfilling wishes varying from museum and cultural visits to theatre trips and sailing experiences.
Last year, the Rijksmuseum played its part by working with Stitching Ambulance Wens to organise for three terminally ill patients to see The Late Rembrandt exhibition, which included more than 100 works by the artist during the final phase of his life. The patients were taken to the museum by ambulance on hospital beds with nurses in attendance and given private after-hours access to the exhibition.
These organisations and attractions – and those like them – put compassion before profit to enrich the lives of children, adults and families whose circumstances mean they need additional care, assistance and resources to enjoy quality of life.
Such work represents our industry at its very best. It also shows just how much it means to many to be able to spend time in attractions they personally identify with. A yearning for normality is a huge part of illness and in offering this, these businesses are doing a power of good. We applaud them all.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
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When illness strikes, it’s normality which suffers, along with time with loved ones and family fun. But there are charities working hard to mend this gap, by offering seriously ill children and adults the opportunity for days out, with all the care they need to make these the best they can be
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2016 issue 4
This issue, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of charity Give Kids the World (GKTW) (page 52), which works to create magical moments for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Led by CEO Pamela Landwirth, GKTW raises around $40m every year in cash and kind to run its specially adapted village in Kissimmee, Florida, where children stay while visiting the state’s many attractions. Over 8,000 children are hosted each year, while many more are given access to the on-site facilities while staying elsewhere.
This is just one example of the amazing work which is quietly going on, day in and day out across the attractions world, enabling children to make great memories with their families and to have fun in spite of the many and varied health, mobility and financial challenges they face.
Also celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016 is Dreamflight, a UK-based charity co-founded by Patricia Pearce and Derek Pereira to raise money to take deserving children to Walt Disney World and other attractions in Florida.
Dreamflight gives the children a holiday of a lifetime, with adventures, camaraderie and life-changing experiences worth many thousands of dollars, much of it donated by attractions operators. It has helped over 5,000 children to date.
Also working to support children in a range of challenging circumstances, Merlin’s Magic Wand, the charity arm of Merlin Entertainments, gives tickets and assistance to children who are in foster care or who have recently been adopted or orphaned, as well as children of terminally ill parents, those who are victims of abuse and also young carers.
And this special work isn’t limited to the theme park sector. In the Netherlands, Stitching Ambulance Wens Nederland (Ambulance Wish Foundation) has helped 6,000 people to fulfil their last requests since its formation in 2007.
With a staff of 200 medically-trained volunteers, the charity helps those who have become immobilised by illness, fulfilling wishes varying from museum and cultural visits to theatre trips and sailing experiences.
Last year, the Rijksmuseum played its part by working with Stitching Ambulance Wens to organise for three terminally ill patients to see The Late Rembrandt exhibition, which included more than 100 works by the artist during the final phase of his life. The patients were taken to the museum by ambulance on hospital beds with nurses in attendance and given private after-hours access to the exhibition.
These organisations and attractions – and those like them – put compassion before profit to enrich the lives of children, adults and families whose circumstances mean they need additional care, assistance and resources to enjoy quality of life.
Such work represents our industry at its very best. It also shows just how much it means to many to be able to spend time in attractions they personally identify with. A yearning for normality is a huge part of illness and in offering this, these businesses are doing a power of good. We applaud them all.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Agilysys UK Ltd Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), is a leading
global provider of hospitality software
solutions that [more...]
