An event in Pitt Meadows raised more than $15,000 on Thursday to help fulfill the dreams of children with severe physical disabilities and life-threatening illnesses.

The Sunshine Foundation of Canada celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala event called Bright Night, Big Dreams.

The event, held at the Meadow Gardens Golf Club, built awareness for the Foundation's mission in the Lower Mainland.

Donors, Sunshine families, health care providers, volunteers, and local politicians gathered to celebrate and raise funds for the foundation.

With approximately 150 people in attendance, more than $15,000 was raised to support dreams for kids.

The event featured an inspired speech by Marco Pasqua, a young man with cerebral palsy who received a dream 20 years ago.

He showed a video of the day he found out about his dream at the age of eight, and talked about how the support from The Sunshine Foundation inspired him to take on any challenge.

He is now a motivational speaker inspiring others to reach for their maximum potential.

The Sunshine Foundation has fulfilled dreams for more than 7,200 children across Canada. The event is part of a series of Bright Night, Big Dreams galas occurring across Canada.

On Dec. 11, a Sunshine DreamLift will be departing Vancouver for Disneyland. A DreamLift is a one-day adventure that transports a large group of children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses on an exciting, whirlwind trip to a Disney theme park.

For more information about the foundation, go to www.sunshine.ca.