Celebrating 10 magical years

This September, global children’s charity, Merlin’s Magic Wand, is celebrating 10 years of creating magical experiences for children and their families across the world.

The charity arm of the world’s second largest tourism operator, Merlin Entertainments Group, Merlin’s Magic Wand aims to bring the magic back into the lives of seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children and their families.

Merlin Entertainments Group owns and operates iconic tourism attractions including Sea Life Aquariums in Auckland, Queensland, New South Wales, and Melbourne, as well as Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney in Darling Harbour and Legoland Discovery Centre in Victoria. 

Since 2008, Merlin’s Magic Wand has aimed to support children and their families who have faced challenges of serious illness, disability or adversity through a variety of initiatives including custom hospital makeovers, magical days out at Merlin Entertainments’ attractions and hospital visits for those too sick to leave their beds.

In recognition of this century-long dedication to spreading the magic, Merlin’s Magic Wand is giving away 10,000 tickets to Merlin’s leading attractions to charities across Australia and New Zealand during September.

Kicking off the month-long celebrations is the launch of the first ‘Merlin’s Magic Space’ at Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice in Manly.

For the past 16-months, Merlin’s Magic Wand has been working closely with the staff at the Manly-based medical facility to create a suitable bathroom space for patients.

Following the closure of Manly Sea Life Sanctuary earlier this year and in tribute to the impact the much loved attraction had on the community, the main bathroom at Bear Cottage will receive a nautical makeover.

The new space is inspired by and pays homage to the Manly attraction and will give young patients and their families a break from the daily routine of doctors’ appointments and medical procedures and create a calming and visually-appealing space complete with turtle and penguin decoration

Merlin’s Magic Wand spokesperson, Ashley Hayes, said the impact the charity’s initiatives has on ill children and their families, goes beyond just the day.

“Helping to create magical and positive memories in the lives of seriously ill, disabled or disadvantaged children is the core purpose of Merlin’s Magic Wand. Projects like these are an amazing example of the work we do not only in Australia but across the globe,” said Ms Hayes.

“What we aim to do is create magical experiences that go beyond the day and stays with the child and their family for the rest of their lives. There is no better feeling than seeing a child light up when they see a koala or meet their favourite celebrity in wax form.

“Celebrating 10 years of creating magical experiences is something to shout about and we are proud of the impact we have on the community.”

Throughout September, a number of magical activities will be happening across Australia and New Zealand as part of the charity’s ‘Festival of Fun’ including:

• Madame Tussauds Sydney, Darling Harbour: Superhero Academy at Justice League with cape making stations throughout September
• Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour: Quiet/Low Sensory Morning and Superhero Day Out on Saturday 15^th September
• Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Darling Harbour: Quiet/Low Sensory Morning and Superhero Day Out on Saturday 15^th September
• Sea Life Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast: Superhero Day on Saturday 15^th September and Sunday 16^th September
• Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne: Under the Sea Fun Festival on Wednesday 12^th September
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, Chadstone: Knights and Princesses themed Festival of Fun on Saturday 15^th September

Funded through monetary donations and generous support from suppliers, Merlin’s Magic Spaces are found in Hospitals and health facilities across the globe and help bring the magic of Merlin to children and their families who are too sick to visit a Merlin attraction. Merlin’s Magic Wand also provides magical days out for families and eligible community groups to Merlin attractions, such as Wild Life and Sea Life centres, Madame Tussauds locations and the Eye brands including the Sydney Tower Eye.

For more information about Merlin’s Magic Wand and the work it does in helping bring the magic back into the lives of seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children, please visit: merlinmagicwand.org