Believe in Magic

Believe in Magic was a British charity founded in 2012 that aimed to relieve the needs of children in the United Kingdom suffering from severe or terminal illnesses. It was founded by 16-year-old Megan Bhari, whose mother, Jean O’Brien, falsely claimed Megan had been diagnosed with a brain tumour three years prior. The charity gained prominence after it was supported by several celebrities, most notably British-Irish boy band One Direction. The charity went under investigation by the Charity Commission for England and Wales in 2017, following concerns about its financial management and administration. The charity fell into controversy after accusations that Bhari lied or exaggerated her illness, and was shut down in 2020. A review by Kingston Adult Safeguarding board concluded that Bhari was most likely a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.