Busby Hotel staff join virtual fundraising trek to Lapland

The Scottish registered charity helps to bring smiles to children aged 4-16 years who live with a life-threatening illness by giving them memories to treasure.

From the Manorview Group’s headquarters in Howwood, Johnstone, to Santa’s home in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, the distance is approximately 4350km, and crosses 11 countries.

The hotel group has gathered a charity team comprising nearly 80 members. They are splitting the mileage, with each team member completing their own challenge by either walking, running or cycling, all within current socially distanced guidelines around their homes.

The team has five days to reach their destination. They started Monday, June 15, and should reach the Arctic Circle this Friday, June 19.

The Group set themselves a fundraising target of £2,500, and they’ve already raised over £9,000. Now their goal is to raise as much as they can for the charity.

Over the past three years Manorview Group has supported When You Wish Upon A Star. The Group have donated over £30,000 to the charity and have completed many challenges including the London Marathon, an Arctic trek, cycles, hill climbs, a glass walk, a fashion show, and various raffles and collections.

In addition to this, every year for the past three years, The Busby Hotel in Busby has welcomed Wish families from all over Scotland to enjoy a specially themed Disney afternoon tea party.

It’s a highlight for the Manorview team, the charity and the Wish families who attend. The afternoon includes fun, dressing up, laughter and precious memory making.

Every Christmas, should funding allow, the charity charters a flight to Lapland, inviting Wish children and their families from all over Scotland who meet the charity’s criteria, on a magical Winter Wish.

It’s where families play together in the Enchanted Forest among the reindeer and huskies, toast marshmallows over a campfire and have time to talk about their Santa list with the man himself; the ‘real’ Santa.

It is an important day for the families where they can swap hospital beds for sleigh rides, having time together, and a chance to make precious magical and special memories.

The Magic of Lapland is entirely funded by the charity’s supporters where a seat on the plane costs £450.

This year When You Wish Upon A Star had been planning to celebrate 30 years of granting magical Wishes across the UK. Due to Covid-19 they have put all their Wish granting on hold, as the health and safety of children and their families is paramount.

Sadly, as is the case with most charities, their funds have been depleted due to the pandemic, and the cancellation of many fundraising events including their 30th birthday celebrations.

Steve Graham, chairman of Manorview Group said: “We have a longstanding relationship with When You Wish Upon A Star. We’ve seen the great work they do and met many of their Wish families.

“We know the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all industries, including the charity sector. Our team wanted to help, to ensure that children from Scotland can continue to have their Wishes granted, and families get the opportunity to experience those very precious shared memories.”

Judith King, fundraiser for When You Wish Upon a Star Scotland, said: “The Manorview family mean everything to our Wish granting work in Scotland and we are honoured that they are supporting us at this time.

“It’s a long road ahead for our Wish granters when they start their Great Expedition. We wish them well and look forward to hearing how they are getting on!

“Their end goal of Lapland is a very special place to the charity where we have proudly invited our inspirational Wish families for over 29 years to go in search of Santa.

“Providing time away, giving our families something to look forward to through times of uncertainty, and often financial as well as emotional strain.

“A child’s Winter Wish has the power to transform their lives, offering excitement and something to focus on, and allows a child to put their illness on hold as they have fun with their family and make lifelong precious memories together.

“For the Manorview team to be able to give this experience to our families is everything and we are proud to have them as part of our Wish granting team in Scotland!”

To follow Manorview’s Lapland Expedition please see Manorview Lapland