Press Release: Princess from Leicester takes on London Marathon challenge to grant magical wishes for seriously ill children

A children’s party princess from Leicester is taking a break from her royal engagements to train for the London Marathon in April to help bring joy to seriously ill children.

Charlie Burnham, 27, from Leicester will be swapping her princess slippers for running trainers on 21st April 2024 for the London Marathon to raise money for wish-granting charity Rays of Sunshine.

Rays of Sunshine is a children’s charity that grants magical wishes for seriously ill children and provides ongoing support in hospitals and the community. In the last year alone, the charity has granted 358 wishes across the UK.

For the past ten years, Charlie has helped bring fairytale magic to life for children by dressing up as different princesses. Working with Rays of Sunshine, she has helped deliver wishes to give sick children and their families opportunities to create positive memories outside of treatment and hospitals.

 From teatime with Elsa, to singing with Rapunzel, Charlie has helped brighten the lives of children when they need it most.

One of Charlie’s most memorable and favourite moments as a princess was a wish granted by Rays of Sunshine for a wish child who wanted to dance with Elsa. It was such a special moment for Charlie, as well as meaning the world to the family.

Charlie said, “They couldn’t believe that Elsa was coming to the house. We were both Elsa chattering and singing away. It was a small intimate gathering with the family and just felt like a big celebration of life, and that’s what it truly was.

Seeing the impact of the charity’s work first-hand as a princess is giving Charlie the motivation she needs to complete her first marathon and cross the iconic finish line. 

“Whenever I feel like my mind is going off and I don’t want to carry on, I remember the cause I am running for. I put myself in the position of the families and children and that pushes me to keep going” 

 “In the last hour of those long runs, I get a real sense of gratefulness for my health. I reflect on how grateful we should be for the opportunity of life and that we have our health to be able to run when some people unfortunately can’t do what we do on a day-to-day basis.”

Amy Chambers, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Rays of Sunshine, says: “We can’t thank Charlie enough for being part of many magical Rays of Sunshine wishes. It’s amazing that she keeps on finding new ways to give back and support us.

“All the money raised from Charlie and her supporters will help us to grant more magical wishes to seriously ill children in Leicestershire and across the UK.”

To support Charlie’s London Marathon run, visit her JustGiving. For more information about Rays of Sunshine, please visit www.raysofsunshine.org.uk

###

This press release was picked up by local media in the UK.