A TAIL OF REAL HOPE FOR SICK CHILD

AS nine-year-old Gold Coaster Sereia waited in hospital for what would be one of countless blood transfusions three years ago, a kindly stranger made sure she had a special hope to cling to.

Sereia was having treat- ment for aplastic aenemia – a rare condition where the body does not produce enough new blood.

With doctors unsure if she would make a recovery Make-A-Wish Australia volunteers placed a “wish coin” in Sereia’s hand, promising to make real her dream of becoming

Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Sereia – which is Portuguese for mermaid – became one of the sea princesses for a day thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.