Melins Magic Wand 2012 - just had a response to my application for Legoland

[cwtch4967]

It looks like we're not going to be lucky this year, shame as we had a fab time last year.

Dear Friend of Merlin?s Magic Wand

It has always been the charity?s intention to support and bring joy to as many children as possible.

With the increase in the number of applications we are receiving, and with finite resources, our Trustees have decided that we must be more selective in our provision of tickets. Therefore we must now prioritise applications for children who we have not previously supported.

All other applications will remain in the system. However, it will take us longer to process those that are for children who Merlin?s Magic Wand has helped previously, and it is very likely that those applications will not be successful.

This has been a very difficult decision and we appreciate that this may be disappointing for some of you. As someone who has already had the opportunity to benefit from the experience of a day out through the charity, you know what this can mean to a child and their family. We hope you can understand why we are doing this and support our need to bring that same joy to as many children as possible.

Thank you for your support and understanding

The Merlin?s Magic Wand Team

OOps that was meant to be in special needs!

It is in SN now
sorry you didn't get the trip

Mmm, not sure what is going on with MMW.

They didn't give this information out when we applied and seem to be moving the goal posts constantly.

First, we had the dumping of applications on to the NAS and then a 10-12 week delay and now this newly imposed restriction.

I am not impressed. I know it is a charity but they should be able to plan their resources more efficiently so they are not disappointing children with disabilities.

These tickets cost the parks nothing, you spend money while you are there and they are, no doubt, tax deductible contributions.

I really wonder what the difference in application numbers is now compared to 2011 or 2010. I suspect it's marginal.

The sad thing is that they haven't actually said no - but reading between the lines it sounds very unlikely. Why didn't they just say in the first place that no previous applicants would be considered this year.
As it is now you can't apply for Legoland until they open in March, then there seems to be a minimum waiting time for a response of 10 - 12 weeks and then more delay while you send in proof of condition and wait for the tickets and then Legoland closes end of October.
I am very grateful for the tickets we had last year and don't begrudge another family the opportunity - it just all seems a bit of a mess.

Get your dc to write to Blue Peter-the badge gets dc in free.