A FAMILY from Weston-Super-Mare is urging people to get behind a Christmas giving campaign to help raise money for the charity which granted their daughter a magical wish after she was diagnosed with cancer aged just seven.

The Watts family were introduced to Rays of Sunshine after Sienna was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia just after turning 7.

Kayleigh, daughters Lexi, Emily, and eight-year-old Sienna, are supporting this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge between December 3 and December 10, on behalf of Rays of Sunshine, the children’s charity which grants wishes to seriously ill children in the UK.

Sienna decided on a wish experience focused on her beloved Bristol City FC.

Kayleigh said: “Football, and specifically Bristol City, has been a huge part of our whole family’s lives growing up. My dad is a season ticket holder, and I grew up going with him.”

Donations to the charity are being matched during the Christmas Challenge by the Reed Foundation, meaning supporters’ generosity will have double the impact than usual.

Taking a day at a time

“There were parts in Sienna’s journey, especially in those first three months, where we just had to take every day as it came,” mum Kayleigh said.

“It felt like nothing was certain, and we were just trying to help her get better.”

(Image: Rays of Sunshine)

Sienna was given a special tour of the ground and got to meet the players. She also challenged herself to get a selfie with every single one.

“She was a girl on a mission that day – she wasn’t taking no for an answer when it came to getting those pictures with the footballers," Kayleigh said. “Not that they would have refused, they were all so good with her.”

When it came to kick-off time, Sienna walked out on the pitch with her team as their mascot.

Kayleigh said: “It was a moment I’ll never forget.”

“She still talks about her wish all the time. She likes having a special memory that isn’t to do with the hospital – because that was her life for a long time.”

Sienna is doing well now, and is back to her sassy self. Now, she and her family are encouraging others to get involved with the Big Give, so that more magical wishes like hers can be granted to other seriously ill children.

Amy Chambers, director of Fundraising and Communications at Rays of Sunshine, said: “We’re so pleased that Sienna had an unforgettable time on her wish and are grateful to the Watts family for showing their support for our Big Give campaign.

“We hope Sienna’s story inspires people across Somerset to show their support and have their donations doubled.

“The demand for wishes is higher than ever before, and every penny raised will help us brighten the lives of seriously ill children this Christmas and beyond.”