By MELISSA MEEHAN
HE HAD his own wish granted, and now William Arrowsmith wants to help other sick kids get their wishes too.
The eight-year-old from Gembrook became the face of a local Make-A-Wish campaign calling on donations late last year and realised the struggles the group was facing.
William and his family have also registered for the Field of Wishes Family Fun Run and Walk which is being held at Casey Fields, Cranbourne, on 27 October.
As part of this event for the Cardinia-Casey branch of Make-A-Wish William joined Team Wish and set up an Everyday Hero page linked to the event.
“Originally we decided on a goal of $250 so that William could get a Team Wish singlet to wear to the event while at the same time raising money towards the wish of another child with a life-threatening illness but with the support of family, friends and even Cardinia Performing Arts Company donating we hit that target quickly so we doubled our goal to $500,” Joanne said.
“William was excited to see the donations and messages coming in so he wanted to work out a way to raise more money – he decided to sell some of his toys he wasn’t using any more and together with his younger brother Samuel they worked out what to sell or keep.”
The Arrowsmith family then added items to his selling album as well, so there was kids’ clothing, furniture and other bric-a-brac available.
“A school friend of William has also gone through his unused toys which he is passing to WIlliam for his sale which is listed on our personal Facebook page and on a couple of local Facebook selling sites,” she said.
“We are very close to $500 now but have more items being paid for in the coming days so we will be closer to $600.
“All money from the sales is added to the Everyday Hero page so people can see where their money is going. “
Last year William received his wish of a model railway and still loves playing with it.
To make a donation go to fieldofwishes2013.everydayhero.com/au/team-william where 100 per cent of money raised will go to Make-A-Wish.