Dream job for Alice with wish charity

The joy such a simple trip gave the then 16-year-old who had seen little in two years outside Leeds General Infirmary was beyond words.

Since then Alice, who suffers from a very rare disease and type one diabetes, has dedicated her time to raising money for Rays of Sunshine, which grants wishes to seriously-ill children.

Now the charity wants to repay her kindness by making her a special ambassador.

"Wish children and their families often go on to become our greatest advocates, but none more so than Alice," says Rays of Sunshine's chief executive

Jane Sharpe.

"In reality, Alice had already unofficially adopted the job of ambassador for the charity, having raised nearly 28,000 and inspired many other supporters.

"Rays of Sunshine was delighted to officially recognise her passion and hard work by formalising her position as Special Ambassador."

Alice's role will involve being "the face" of the charity in the north of England, being a media spokesperson about the experience of a wish and generating awareness about the charity and inspiring others to do the same.

"Words actually can't explain how happy I am," says Alice, 18.

"I have been fortunate to experience first-hand the fantastic work of Rays of Sunshine and appreciate how important it is to have a wish granted."

A few months ago Alice went to London to present the cheque from her Sunshine Ball held in March to Rays of Sunshine. She also saw some "wish" children having their wish granted to meet boy band JLS.

"It brought a huge smile to my face knowing I had helped similar children like me have their wish granted and my wish was becoming reality. It gave me the determination to raise more money so every child living with a serious or life-limiting illness can have a wish granted."

When she heard about her appointment she received a message on Twitter from JLS.

Her first job as special ambassador was at Dunelm Mill in Leeds. The company has chosen Rays of Sunshine as its charity of the year and Alice was on hand to represent the charity.

Alice's hope is that Rays of Sunshine goes from strength to strength, especially in the North of England, and that every single child

living with a serious or life-limiting illness is granted a wish.

"Living in the Leeds General Infirmary for two years has meant I have met so many lovely families and sadly not all of them are now complete, I am keen to raise more awareness of Rays of Sunshine across the country particularly in Yorkshire, I am 'the face' of the charity in the north of England, and therefore see one of my roles as being that those children living closest to me deserve the experience and magic of doing something they have only ever dreamt of before."

Earlier this year Alice had her hopes of returning home dashed when insulin antibodies returned, making her future uncertain.

But a recent trip to doctors in Cambridge has left her more positive.

Doctors explained that she had two complex conditions, one called Hirata's syndrome (insulin autoimmune syndrome) which is most common in Japan, but also that she had type one diabetes making it harder to treat.

"Patients who have Hirata's disease have never had diabetes too, and that is where I am unique.

"Overall, the doctor filled us all with confidence, and was extremely happy with the progress I have made.

"So I'm looking forward to getting my life back, spending more time at home and the future with Rays of Sunshine as Special Ambassador."

WHERE WISHES CAN COME TRUE

Rays of Sunshine grants wishes to children who are living with serious or life-threatening illnesses between the age of three and 18 who live in the United Kingdom.

Alice is holding her second Sunshine Ball 2011 on Saturday, March 12, at The Queens Hotel, Leeds. Tickets cost 60 including a drinks reception, three- course meal and half a bottle of wine per person, and an auction. For more information, visit www.sunshineappeal.org.uk or www.raysofsunshine.org.uk or 0208 782 1173.