Wish fulfilled

Ask any 25-year-old who they would most like to have dinner with and one of the most common answers would probably be Brad Pitt.

Ask a 15-year-old the same question and maybe someone like Justin Timberlake would be a common choice.

But for six-year-old Fadila Farag, who has a life-threatening condition, there was no hesitation — the Tweenies were at the top of her wish list.

And little did she know that thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, UAE, her dream to meet her idols was about to become a reality.

Time with the Tweenies

With the assistance of many volunteers from Make-A-Wish UAE and Make-A-Wish UK, Fadila's ultimate wish came true on June 30, when she celebrated her sixth birthday with the colourful TV show characters in the United Kingdom.

The youngster was whisked from London, where she was with her parents undergoing some tests, to Alton Towers where the BBC characters are based.

And, not only did she have the best seats in the house to watch a live show, but she was then introduced to all her favourite characters during a back-stage tour.

Fadila's father, Hany, said: "It was amazing.

"To see the look on her face was wonderful. It was a moment we will always treasure.

"I was sitting next to her at the show and watched her facial expressions. It was almost as if she had blanked out all of the other children in the room and was alone with the Tweenies."

"She looked so happy and did not stop talking about them for days. It really was a dream come true for our special little girl."

The Farag family, who returned to Dubai on Friday, was also caught up in the London bomb blasts.

Hany said: "Our hotel was in Kings Cross and was directly outside the explosion which took place on the bus. It was all very traumatic and frightening."

"It was a shame after we had enjoyed such a nice time. We experienced difficulties getting Fadila to the London hospital but we knew there were people going through far worse than us."

"The people in London were very helpful and we eventually managed to make it there. The last few days were pretty stressful but we'll never forget the people who made our little Fadila's wish come true."

So who are the Tweenies?

The Tweenies embody connected learning as preschoolers, who move through Song Time, Messy Time, Video Time, Story Time, Circle Time and Surprise Time.

The colourful Tweenies gang and viewers at home express themselves through language; learn concepts from nature like weather, time and magnets; they also enjoy creative activity in music and the visual arts.

Youngsters are encouraged to sing and dance along and let their imaginations run wild — and Fadila is certainly no exception.

Staff at the Shaikh Khalifa Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, where Fadila is treated, say that there is nothing that brings a smile to Fadila's face faster than the Tweenies.

Hany said: "Watching, drawing, reading and playful bantering with her siblings over the Tweenies has helped Fadila enjoyably pass many long hours in hospital while she receives treatment for her life-threatening illness."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children around the world who are living with life-threatening illnesses.

The UAE office is one of 32 international bases granting wishes to seriously-ill children aged between 3 and 18 years.

Director of Make-A-Wish, UAE, Captain John Irving said: "Each year in the UAE, children are unfortunately diagnosed with a life-threatening illness."

"Thanks to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technology, many are now being cured while others have their lives prolonged for many years and some, unfortunately, lose their battle."

Avenue of hope

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation steps in to assist these children and their families by providing an avenue of hope and strength."

"By focusing on the positive, the Make-A-Wish Foundation brings magic and joy to these children each year, by granting their most cherished wish."

"This is an experience that the children, their parents and siblings look forward to, often holding on to it to get through the tougher times."

"From the magic and power of having their most cherished wish granted, these children are given hope, strength and much joy."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE can be thanked for making the dreams of youngsters across the UAE come true.

From rides in the latest Hummer to buying electric wheelchairs for children, their limits know no bounds.