SINGING duo Max and Harvey granted the wish of 16-year-old Cariad, from Southampton when they surprised her with a video call on the day that should have been her prom night.
Cariad is currently living with a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 and her greatest wish was to go to meet Max and Harvey and invite them to her prom.
Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cariad’s school prom event had to be cancelled. So, to make Cariad’s dream possible, Rays of Sunshine teamed up with the brothers to organise a surprise virtual prom night for her instead. To make the event special, Cariad dressed up in her prom dress and had her hair and makeup done professionally, all for what she believed would be a call with her friends to celebrate their prom night. However, to Cariad’s delight, when she logged on to her video call, waiting for her was Max and Harvey, suited and ready for a virtual prom night – even sending a corsage to her house for her to wear.
During the special call, Cariad got to ask Max and Harvey lots of questions including asking them their favourite films and Disney characters, as well as showing off Cariad’s prom dress and purple hair. She even told the two that the call with them was better than going to Disneyland Paris, her favourite place to go! To top off a special call, Max and Harvey sang a song to Cariad to make sure the evening finished with some music like it would have done at her prom night.
Following the call, Dionne, Cariad’s mum, said:
“What a joy it was to see Cariad having a good old chat with Max and Harvey. It has made Cariad’s year! To hear her say it was better than Disney made us realise just how special it was for her to have a video chat with them. The boys were true gentlemen, they dressed up in prom suits and looked so handsome. They took the time to listen carefully and answered all of Cariad’s probing questions! Their voices were beautiful when they sang and we all had happy tears after the call. We can never thank you enough Rays of Sunshine.”
Cariad also added:
“I still can’t believe that it happened to me. I was ecstatic when I found out the exciting news. I thought that my wish would never happen, I kept asking my mum if she’d heard back from Rays of Sunshine. Mum kept that surprise well hidden! I loved every minute of our video call, but my favourite was them answering all my questions. Thank you so much!”
Max and Harvey commented:
“We were so thrilled to team up with Ray of Sunshine to grant Cariad’s wish. This experience was one of a kind. It was lovely to be able to help make what would have been her prom a memorable day!”
Laura Barnett, CEO of Rays of Sunshine, added:
“We’re extremely grateful to Max and Harvey for giving up their time to help Rays of Sunshine make sure that Cariad had a prom day to remember! From sending a special corsage to her house, wearing their own prom attire, and ending the call with a song, Max and Harvey ensured that Cariad had the most special, virtual, prom day possible. For that, we cannot be more thankful. These will be precious memories that will last a lifetime.”
Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity was formed in 2003 to brighten the lives of seriously ill young people and their families across the UK by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the charity is committed to bringing joy and hope to seriously ill children and their families when they need it the most, both in hospital and at home. For more information about the charity, or to support them, please visit: www.raysofsunshine.org.uk.
