Multi-million gift launches Make-A-Wish initiative
Howard Lake | 12 March 2026 | News
Philanthropic initiative The Constellation Collective has launched with what Make-A-Wish UK describes as a “transformational multi-million-pound commitment”, intended to fund wishes for critically ill children across the UK and help the charity meet rising demand.
Seven-figure lead gift from healthcare investor
The Collective was created by Make-A-Wish UK in 2025 to convert healthcare investment into sustainable, long-term funding for children and their families. Its official launch was marked at an event at The Beaumont Hotel in London, where a lead seven-figure gift was announced. The donation comes from an investment framework led by ACP Healthtech, a specialist investment firm that says it focuses on de-risking and advancing healthcare innovation.
The gift has been delivered by three ACP Healthtech founders: Emma Hague, general partner at the firm and now chair of The Constellation Collective; Olivier Gracia, chief financial officer; and Dr Patrick Pfeffer, managing partner.
Advertisement
“Something to look forward to in their darkest of times”
Jason Suckley, chief executive of Make-A-Wish UK, said the support would “transform how Make-A-Wish UK works”, adding that wishes gave critically ill children “something to look forward to in their darkest of times”.
Emma Hague said the response had exceeded the Constellation Collective‘s ambitions “so early in our fundraising”, while Make-A-Wish UK’s philanthropy director, Julide Troedson, called the gift “the start of that step change” the charity needs to reach every eligible child.
Charity says demand for wishes is rising
Make-A-Wish UK, established in 1986 and funded without government support, says more than 134,000 children in the UK are living with a critical illness. It says demand for wishes is now outpacing its capacity to grant them, and it is inviting further philanthropists and partners to join The Constellation Collective as it expands.
- Make-A-Wish UK launches children and young people’s board (7 February 2020)
- 2017 I’m A Celebrity to donate to Make-A-Wish (9 November 2017)
Related posts
2022 Sunday Times Giving List shows rise in environmental donations & younger philanthropists
English Heritage to launch apprenticeship programme after largest ever donation of £11mn
CSJ calls for dormant funds to be unlocked to spur matched giving by philanthropists
Cancer Research UK’s £400mn philanthropy Campaign reaches £250mn stage
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.