Maxine Aquilina and Angie Amato know all too well what it means to need sunshine during dark times, having both lost their beloved mothers Jackie and Josette to cancer in the past few years. The pair have now created Jays of Sunshine in hopes of helping make children and young people’s dreams come true at a difficult time.

“Losing our mums has created a very special bond between us,” Angie says. “It also means that we both understand how difficult the process can be: the initial shock, the highs and lows, the hope and then the lack of hope the tragic news of ‘no more treatment options’, the loss and the grieving journey after that.”

Maxine adds, “We understand how valuable and important making memories with loved ones is. These are memories the children and their families will cherish forever.”

They both agreed they could give something back, make a change and help others, using their natural gift with children. Jays of Sunshine has sent wish lists to the children currently undergoing treatment in the Rainbow Ward, so that they can share the dreams that they hope to come true.

Angie and Maxine told us that "these wish lists can be for any gift they may want or for any experience they wish to have. For example, our most recent one is a boy called Jan, who wished to ride in an American muscle car. Through very helpful contacts we managed to find the car, and the very kind owner took Jan for a ride in the car. It is these kinds of experiences and dreams that we wish to make true for the brave children and their families."

Jays of Sunshine is working closely with Puttinu Cares and has already started planning a number of experiences in response to the children’s wishes, including getting hold of a signed t-shirt from footballer Dybala for a 13-year-old girl, a trip for a boy and his mum to watch a Juventus football game, and a ride in a sports car for a young boy.

"We want to thank everyone who has helped us so far. The feeling of making dreams come true is unbeatable and we couldn't do it without the help of others," concluded the girls.

We truly need more people like you two, Maxine and Angie! We wish you the best for this wonderful initiative!

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