A partnership between The Cheesecake Shop and Make-A-Wish Australia has been announced.

The three-year partnership will see The Cheesecake Shop join forces with Make-A-Wish through local and national fundraising initiatives involving franchisees, employees and customers.

The Cheesecake Shop chief executive officer Scott Bush said the charity partnership aligned with the business’s mission to spread joy and celebrate life’s moments.

“No product is more synonymous with the blowing out of candles and imagination of wishes more than cake. For decades we have have been helping people make their wishes at The Cheesecake Shop, we thought it was about time we helped with granting them too,” he said.

“We are privileged to share some truly exciting moments and wonderful milestones in the lives of our customers across Australian and New Zealand – from engagement to anniversaries, new jobs to retirement and everything in between.

“The pride we take in celebrating these moments comes with a profound sense of responsibility. For the thousands of Aussie kids living with a critical illness, there’s not often cause for celebration, only an all-consuming focus on fighting for their future.

“The dedication and commitment shown by Make-A-Wish Australia to lifting the spirits of seriously ill children by granting their wish is something we are proud to support.

“We want to help deliver hope and optimism in the face of adversity and uncertainty. It’s a small gesture we hope will go a long way in the eyes of little people with big imaginations.”

Make-A-Wish Australia CEO Sally Bateman said for children living with critical illnesses, the treatment is often long and uncertain and there is little opportunity for sick kids to just be kids and enjoy the special moments of childhood.

“We are delighted to welcome The Cheesecake Shop as our newest partner and look forward to creating many wonderful wish experiences and memories together for the wish kids it’s our privilege to support,” Ms Bateman said.

“Make-A-Wish partners with organisations that share our belief that everyone can make a difference in the lives of critically ill Australian children and their families.

“Like us, The Cheesecake Shop understands the difference wishes can make bringing much needed hope and joy during some of the toughest of times and we look forward to what we can achieve together in the community.”

Recent studies estimate more than 14,000 Australian children are living with a life-threatening illness and thousands more are born or diagnosed with serious illnesses each year.