Make-A-Wish volunteer Allana Wilson remembered as amazing, stoic and tireless
Just two months ago, Allana Wilson, received the top award for volunteering in Tasmania. She is being fondly remembered after her untimely death.
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A Tasmanian volunteer who changed the lives of hundreds of sick children is being remembered as “amazing” and a “shining star”.
Allana Wilson, 66, who just two months ago was awarded both the Premier’s Volunteer of the Year Award and the Lifetime Commitment Award, died from motor neurone disease on Tuesday.
She was wish Co-ordinator for Make-A-Wish Hobart and national patron Robyn Moore said when Mrs Wilson won the Premier’s award, there was a standing ovation with many people in tears.
“Allana was amazing, so stoic, matter-of-fact and just got the job done in wish-granting, fundraising … and wherever there was a need,” Ms Moore said.
“Allana was a shining star in our Hobart Make-A-Wish branch co-ordinating over 200 wishes for local children with critical illnesses, connecting with each family, forming wish teams and participating in the granting of many of these wishes from puppies to flying in hot air balloons.”
Despite Mrs Wilson’s diagnosis with MND taking away her ability to speak, she continued to volunteer and grant children’s wishes.
Her tireless work over 30 years also helped raise more than $300,000.
Mrs Moore said one of Mrs Wilson’s last acts of kindness was for “a little girl who wished for a campervan trip to Cairns”.
“This child had endured painful treatment, learning to walk again, the pandemic and a second illness over many years,” she said.
“To keep her engaged, our wish volunteers had a special picnic for the family and Allana and hubby (Allan) brought along their campervan, so she could experience this ‘cubby on wheels”.
“The wish mum said it was so important that her daughter could now envision her wish and dream about the joy to come in a few months.
“Allana did this two months ago and loved hearing the squeals of delight coming from the campervan.
“Children were at the centre of everything Allana did.”
In a post on Facebook, Make-A-Wish said Mrs Wilson had “dedicated her heart and soul to Make-A-Wish, bringing hope and joy into the lives of sick children and their families”.
“Her dedication and unwavering commitment have been life-changing for many,” they said.
“Allana’s kindness, compassion, courage and outstanding service will continue to inspire us all.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, and fellow volunteers.”
After she received her volunteering awards, Mrs Wilson stressed she would continue volunteering as long as she could.
Mr Wilson said: “Going through the disease is hard enough, so to have something good — first winning volunteer of the year in her group and then the big one — was absolutely fantastic.”
She is survived by her husband, her children and “beautiful” grandchildren.
Her funeral will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday at Phillip Stephens funerals at Rosny.
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