GETTING the VIP treatment at Cotswold Wildlife Park was a Christmas Wish come true for Jess Robinson.

The Farmor’s School pupil, who is celebrating her 13th birthday today, fed penguins, came face to face with giraffes and got up close to some reindeer last year after she was nominated by her Godmother, Keeley Ledger.

Jess’ mother, Vanessa Leonard, 47, lost her battle with breast cancer in February last year and Keeley thought Jess deserved an uplifting treat to help her cope with her first Christmas without her mum.

Keeley said: “The Christmas Wish definitely gave her a lift. She loved seeing all the animals, she loved feeding the penguins. I was glad we did it.

“We all still miss her mum, we always will.”

Animal lover Jess, who lives in Blunsdon, also met the keepers and saw the snakes, lions, ant eaters and bats as part of the treat.

Speaking at the time, Jess said: “I think mum would have enjoyed today. I think she had been here before – our old house was just down the road.

“It has been a nice end to the year, it has been a really good day.”

We launched our Christ-mas Wish Appeal 2012 on Monday – and we want to hear from you about the people who deserve an extra special treat this year.

From December 11 to Christmas Eve, we will be granting a wish a day for one worthy person or group in Swindon or the nearby villages.

Wishes can be big or small, our aim is simply to make Christmas as magical as possible for those who deserve it most.

If you can think of someone who needs or deserves cheering up this Christmas, we want to hear from you. Tell us who the person is, why they need a Christmas Wish and how we can help. You can send in your nomination in the following ways:

By post: Print off a  PDF of the form and then send it to Michelle Tompkins, Christmas Wish Appeal 2012, Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE. Click here Christmas Wish 2012 form.pdf

By email: Click here to send us details of who deserves a Christmas Wish. Please remember to include what the wish should be and why. Give your email the subject header ‘Christmas Wish 2012’. Please be sure to include your own phone number and the number of the person you are nominating.