This startup is granting wishes to ordinary people every day

Most of us think of wishes as something reserved for two sets of people: those on their deathbeds (their "dying wish") and fairy tale characters with fairy godmothers.

But what if there was a place where ordinary folks could anonymously express their deepest desires and allow a crowd to vote on it, and if found worthy, do something real, today, to help it come true – no dying involved? 

That's the idea behind Crowdwish, a London-based startup founded about two years ago by Bill Griffin.

Griffin admits that there are lots of places online where someone can express their deepest desires such as things they'd like to own, or experiences they'd like to have.

"The thing that makes Crowdwish unique is that every 24 hours we take the most popular wish of the day and do something meaningful about it, in the real world. We don’t miraculously guarantee to make all the wishes come true — we’re not delusional. We will do something resourceful to progress towards the fulfillment of that wish," he says.

In other words, every day Crowdwish grants a wish.

Here are some examples.

Wish: "That I could find a half-decent boyfriend." Resolution: Crowdwish put a faux "missing" sign on a lamppost and had people send in their submissions.

Wish: "That my very sick son could get a boatload of birthday cards." Resolution: Crowdwish members sent cards to Denver Poore of Ocala, Florida to ensure he had a birthday he won’t forget.

Wish: "That newspapers weren’t so cynical." Resolution: Crowdwish created a fake marble sign and attached it to the HQ of The Daily Mail.

Wish: "That people would smile more on the underground (subway)." Resolution: Crowdwish changed the signage on one route, replacing the official notices with goofy ones in the same font.

And here's another sign Crowdwish snuck onto the underground ...

Wish: "That a homeless person could be bought a cup of coffee." Resolution: Crowdwish bought dozens of coffees and cookies for people living on the streets.

Wish: "That I wasn’t so addicted to my mobile phone." Resolution: Crowdwish made "emergency calls only" iPhone covers.

Wish: "That women on make-up counters weren’t so snooty." Resolution: Crowdwish left tongue-in-cheek notices in Harrods, London’s most upmarket department store.

Wish: "That people found it easier to express themselves." Resolution: Crowdwish left flowers around for people to give to someone they loved.

Wish: "I wish we could defeat extremist thinking." Resolution: Crowdwish sent a glitter bomb to a far right fascist political leader (inspired by shipyourenemiesglitter.com).

Wish: "That I could win the lottery." Resolution: Crowdwish left lotto tickets all over London for people to find.

Wish: "That feminine hygiene products (in the UK) were not taxed as luxury items." Resolution: Crowdwish sent a tampon in luxury packaging to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Wish: "I wish I felt more optimistic about life." Resolution: Crowdwish sent out books providing insightful tips into living a happier life.

Wish: "That Amazon would pay appropriate taxes in the UK." Resolution: Crowdwish wrote ridiculous letter to Jeff Bezos. "Never heard back, strangely," Griffin tells us.

Wish: "That people would eat heathier." Resolution: Crowdwish gave away fruit in a busy central London spot.

Wish: "That I could eat the best slice of pie in the world" Resolution: Crowdwish delivered amazing pies to people in the USA and UK.

Wish: "That the elder generation could be treated with the respect they deserve." Resolution: Crowdwish visited an old person’s facility and decorated it with 1,000 flowers.

Wish: "That I could help someone on skid row." Resolution: Crowdwish visited Skid Row in LA and bought breakfast for a woman living on the street there.

Wish: "That nurses and health care professionals got the respect they deserved." Resolution: Crowdfish visited hospitals to surprise the staff working there with flowers, popcorn, donuts, and so on.

Wish: "To help a little girl with bone marrow cancer." Resolution: Crowdwish printed hundreds of posters and mailed them out to schools to display on their notice boards as part of the quest to find a donor.

Wish: "That there was more kindness in the world." Resolution: Crowdwish surprised a couple by paying for their groceries.

Wish: "That I could get beds for me and my children." Resolution: Crowdwish found a supplier to truck in bunk beds to Harlem to help a family with few possessions who were fleeing domestic abuse. Other Crowdwish members contributed bedding and blankets.

Wish: "That I could improve my daughter’s self-confidence." Resolution: Crowdwish arranged a day out in London for the teenager, which involved meeting talent from the entertainment industry.

Wish: "That I could thank my parents for everything they’ve done for me." Resolution: Crowdwish sent the parents in question fifty handwritten cards, on each of which was written a different reason why their daughter felt so grateful to them.

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