We would like to shine a light on the lesser known charities in the Isle of Man.

There are a few large charities in the island who often get a mention in our pages.

While these organisations undoubtedly do great work and should be celebrated - we wanted to reach out to those charities who people may not know.

After the last couple of years of trying to keep afloat during a global pandemic, we’re sure local charities would love some extra support.

Our next two charities are Remember Me (Charity 1087) and Wish Upon A Dream (Charity 972).

Wish Upon A Dream was launched in mid-2007 with the granting of the first wish and its primary role is to grant wishes for sick and terminally ill children living on the island, and Remember Me followed soon after, registering in 2011.

We spoke to founder and director Lesley Turnbull MBE - who set up the charity in memory of her daughter, who died as a baby - to find out more about their important work.

She said: ’Remember Me is the sister charity of Wish Upon A Dream.

’At Remember Me, we grant wishes for families, where the children in the Isle of Man have a parent who is very sick or terminally ill.’

For example, back in January the charity facilitated a bedroom makeover for a child

As with many other charities in the island, during the coronavirus pandemic, Remember Me has seen an increase in the wishes requested.

These wishes are for families where the child/children have a parent who is very sick or terminally ill.

Over at Wish Upon A Dream, the focus is on terminally ill children - they aim to improve the quality of life of terminally ill children and their families and carers by providing or arranging and paying for holidays, recreation and entertainment.

Both charities advise and support families and carers who are trying to cope with terminal illness.

They create memories, ’which in the worse case scenario leave a happier memory [and organise] photography’.

No one from either charity is paid or receive expenses, their time and expertise is given freely.

Ms Turnbull went on: ’We are a registered charity in the Isle of Man and desperately require exposure to make people aware we are here to assist at such a sad and worrying time.

’A new website is nearly complete (at www.rememberme.im) and we would like people to read more about what we can do etc.

’Some of our wishes granted will be on the website.’

To nominate a family, you can submit in writing to: Lesley Turnbull, Remember Me, P O Box 321, Douglas, IM99 3NQ, Isle of Man

Or alternatively, email: [email protected] or telephone: 07624 229229

l We feature charities in this column across our three publications for free.

If you would like to see your charity featured, email: [email protected]