IT was a charity born from a Bournemouth man’s dream to grant as many wishes as possible to dying children.

Now 25 years later, Round Table Children’s Wish is celebrating after putting smiles on the faces of 2,000 terminally ill youngsters.

Whether it is meeting their celebrity or Disney heroes, going on holidays to places they have only seen in their dreams or getting life-changing wishes at home like the latest gadgets or a bedroom makeover, the charity makes sure no wish is out of reach for the country's children who may never experience adulthood.

Thanks to their work, families can make magical memories together for the heartbreaking moment it will no longer be possible to make any.

The charity was founded in 1988 by Martin Giles, a member of Bournemouth North 1066 Round Table, after he read about a child in America whose dying wish to swim with dolphins was granted.

He explained: “At the beginning we had no experience of the practicalities of granting wishes.

“We just wanted to bring a little light into the lives of children going through very dark times, so we just went with it, determined that it would work.”

Martin, who still lives in Bournemouth and is a lifelong supporter of the charity, said one of the first wishes came from a terminally ill boy from Gillingham.

“This little lad knew he was going to die, which was heartbreaking, and when I asked what his wish would be, he said he simply wanted 'to know where God lived.'

Unsure how to grant it, Martin asked a class of 10-year-olds to draw where they believed God lived and when he saw the pictures, it reminded him of Snowdon so he booked a car, driver and hotel and took the family to Wales.

He said: “After a train ride to the top of Snowdon, the young lad stood up there with the clouds below him, the vast sky above him and looked around. Then he came running back to us and said to his mum and dad: ‘If this is where God lives, I’ll be happy.’

“I still choke up when I remember it today. All these years later, it’s fantastic to see that a simple idea can create something so beautiful.”

Today the charity, which is still based in Bournemouth but grants wishes across the UK boasts patrons CBeebies presenter Chris Jarvis and former football manager Harry Redknapp.

The former Premiership football manager said: “Whatever the kids want, we try and make it happen. To grant a wish and help them fight their illness gives them and their family such a lift.”

Jack Bassett, now 26 from the New Forest, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 16 and is testament to the difference wishes can make. The charity made his dream come true by sending him to see his favourite TV show Top Gear being filmed and later fulfilling another wish to become a motor mechanic.

Jack, said: “It gave me something thrilling to look forward to after a very difficult 18 months in mine and my family’s life. I’ll always remember it.”

Wish organiser Cathy White, who has worked for the charity for 13 years, said many of the children experience painful and debilitating treatment so the team work closely with families to make each wish personal.

Recent wishes include sending teenager Kelsey Barratt who has twice battled a brain tumour to a star-studded film premiere and young cancer sufferer Amelia Davies and her family on an all expenses paid holiday to Majorca. Others however can be simple like transforming a little girl into a princess for a day and making a dying little boy's wish come true of opening sackfuls of cards from strangers on Christmas day.

Cathy, said: “We do build relationships with our families, which is something very important to us.

"It’s always very sad when we hear one of our wish children has passed away. However, it’s important to remember this is not about us, it’s about the family who are going through that grief.

“In simply being able to grant their wish we hope we have created some long lasting memories of happier times for the family.”

The support of individuals, schools, sports teams, businesses and corporate partners is vital to the continued work of Round Table Children’s Wish and director Karen Winchcombe is passionate about granting as many wishes as possible.

She added: “Sadly, children and young people still get sick every day. But while this happens, we will be here to grant fantastic wishes.”

For more details on how to get involved go to www.rtcw.org or email Samantha@rtcw.org