Sam Ryder shares heartwarming experience of singing with citically ill children at Disneyland Paris

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Eurovision star Sam Ryder has described singing with critically ill children at Disneyland Paris as “one of the most meaningful and heartwarming things” he has ever done. Ahead of the performance, the children gathered at the AIR Studios in Hampstead, London, for rehearsals of the song Viva La Musique, before performing in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in France. Ryder’s involvement in the collaboration with Make-A-Wish UK was a deeply emotional and transformative experience.

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Among the children who performed were Jax Morris, who was diagnosed at the age of two with a rare genetic blood disorder, and nine-year-old Molly Townsend-Blazier, who has been battling lymphoblastic leukaemia. Joining them were 13-year-old Habiba Konate Naim, who lives with Williams Syndrome and has had a life-saving kidney transplant, and 16-year-old Eve Wilson, who is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. Ryder expressed how incredibly special it was to watch these young people meet as strangers, only to become friends united by their shared passion for music.

Ryder reflected on the significance of the event, saying that “the whole experience was so pure” and that he would cherish it forever. He praised Make-A-Wish UK for being “the best of humanity,” adding that the charity transcends all politics and beliefs, bringing out the best in everyone involved. Ryder also spoke of the joy of rehearsing with the children, emphasising how important it was to make the day about them and create lasting bonds through music.

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The performance, which took place just before World Wish Day, was a collaboration between Disneyland Paris, Make-A-Wish UK, and Sam Ryder. Disney and Make-A-Wish have been working together for over 45 years, granting more than 165,000 wishes globally. Ryder, who represented the UK at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest and came second with Space Man, also continues to achieve success in his music career, having received an Emmy nomination for his work on Ted Lasso in 2023.