Making an application

Due to a high demand for tickets we only accept applications from those families/children/households we have not previously supported (regardless of when tickets were received previously and regardless if those families have additional children with disabilities/illnesses).

Applications can take up to 8 weeks to assess and be responded to.

You are applying for a one off opportunity for tickets to a Merlin attraction for entry for 1 day for immediate family only (Parents or guardians and siblings). Tickets unfortunately do not include waterparks, special events, entry to 2nd gate attractions or ride access passes. A full list of the Merlin Attractions can be found by clicking here.

We can assist with a limited amount towards a travel contribution to get you and your family to the attraction (Please note we are unable to fund any overseas travel). As a day trip charity we unfortunately are unable to assist with accommodation/overnight costs).

We welcome applications on behalf of children aged 2-18 facing the challenges of serious illness, disability or adversity.

Applications must be made by either parents or guardians or registered organisations*(inc. schools/hospitals and councils), charities. We are unable to accept applications from 3rd parties. The main child child must be 2 years of age before an application can be made.

Our criteria is

• Aged 2 – 18 (incl) and must have not received tickets through our charity previously
• Tickets for immediate family members only (Individual Applicants only)
• Serious illnesses/Long Term illnesses*
• Disabled (if learning disability, this must be moderate to severe and the child must have a statement of educational needs or similar)
• In care home/in foster care/ recently adopted
• Child impacted by domestic violence/abuse/bullying
• Child of terminally ill or recently deceased parent/legal guardian or sibling
• Registered Young Carer

Restrictions apply to all of the above and we base our decision on a case by case basis. Unfortunately we cannot assist with all conditions or circumstances.

Providing false or misleading information in your application will automatically result in the application being rejected.

If you are a family applying on behalf of your child/children, you must have in place documentation which states your child’s confirmed diagnosis. This must be on official headed paper with logo. This will need to be attached to your application form (you can use a scanned document stored on your PC or take a photo of the document using a smart phone or tablet). Examples of what documents you can submit are:

• Hospital letter
• SEN (Statement of Educational Needs)/EHC (Education, Health & Care)

Sorry, we unfortunately cannot accept the following as required paperwork:

• DLAs, PIPs (Personal Independence Payment) or DWP letters as unfortunately they do not provide the full information we require to assess an application
• Non-confirmed illnesses/disabilities
• Badges, children’s disability registration passes
• Appointment letters
• Doctor’s surgery letters that are not on a headed letter with a logo (unless they are officially stamped)
• Hand written letter, or printed letters with handwritten children’s details
• Documents in Microsoft Word format

For Organisations/Charities/Schools you will be asked to provide at a later stage full details of the children you are applying for.

You can see a document example here

When you submit an application you will receive an auto response. All other correspondence will come to you via email. You MUST add admin@merlinsmagicwand.org to your contacts or safe list to ensure you are receiving all of our emails as unfortunately we cannot accept any responsibility for any missed emails or days out as a result of this.

We assist with days out to Merlin attractions only. Not all attractions will be suitable for your child so we ask that you ensure before making an application that you are fully aware of the following to avoid disappointment.

• Suitability – Rides, height restrictions, restriction dates, ride access pass availability, toilet/changing room facilities, parking facilities, general park accessibility, special effects attractions.
• Distance of the attraction from the child’s home
• Popular attractions – Many of the attractions available to you are open all year round, giving you ample opportunity to visit on a date that suits. However, please note that the more popular attractions e.g. UK Theme Parks can become very busy at peak periods throughout the year. To ensure you child/ren get the most out of the day please consider visiting at quieter times or choose an alternative attraction.

A full list of these including each attractions restricted dates can be found on the following link.

We are unable to help with requests for raffle prizes to be used for fundraising. Each Merlin attraction does support a select number of very local causes, so if you have a Merlin attraction in your area may we suggest that you contact them direct.

Some Merlin attractions close for the winter. Taking into account our assessment/processing times, we have to remove these from the list of choices so that families have ample time to visit these attractions before they close.

Ticket validity varies per attraction so please check our website for details.

If you do not use your tickets by the expiry date then tickets will need to be returned to us. If you were provided with electronic tickets or booked in a date you may be able to carry your application over to the following year (to the same attraction only and no more than 1 year) however this is up to the charities discretion and if permitted by the attraction. Unfortunately if you do not use your tickets for 2 consecutive years, your application becomes void and a new application will need to be made.