Changemakers - Madeleine Buchner and Rebecca Abelman Little Dreamers

Above:  Rebecca Abelman, right and Madeleine Buchner, co-founders of Little Dreamers

Little Dreamers raises money and awareness for the siblings of sick children and young carers. This is done through providing Dream Experiences to these children, a chance for them to feel special. Says co-founder Madeleine Buchner, "We also aim to educate the wider community about the circumstances under which siblings live."

What drew you to the Not for Profit sector?

Personal experience led us to see that there was a large group of people who were suffering within the community. This inspired us to start our own Not for Profit organisation to support and raise awareness for the siblings of sick children and young carers.

How long have you been working in the Not for Profit sector?

We started fundraising for the siblings of children with chronic and mental illnesses and disabilities when we were just 9 years old. That was back in 2001 which makes it ten years that we have been in the Not for Profit sector.

Favorite saying ...

“What is life without a dream?” – Edmond Rostand. Everyone has a dream and we are so honoured that through Little Dreamers we can help make others come true.

We’re always being asked …

“Why aren’t you helping the sick kids?” Little Dreamers is about giving attention to those who are not usually the centre of everything, both in terms of their family and the number of groups within the community who are there to support the siblings.

If you could have dinner with 2 people from history, who would they be? 

Audrey Hepburn because her movies are absolutely inspiring. Audrey was an incredible actress and extremely beautiful and someone that would love to have met.

Our greatest challenge is …

Getting people to take us seriously as we are only 18 years old as well as proving to people that there is a need for looking out for the siblings of sick children and young carers within the community.

Little Dreamers is co-founded by Rebecca Abelman and Madeleine Buchnerare.

It was started in 2002, by Rebecca Abelman and Madeleine Buchner (both then aged 9). For six years, Little Dreamers raised money by holding functions and donating the proceeds to various charities. In 2008, Little Dreamers decided to venture out into new waters by becoming a registered charity organisation. The two founders are now 18 years old and continue to support this worthy cause. 

Visit Little Dreamers for more information.