A Teddy Bear Picnic, hosted by the Make-A-Wish foundation, caught them unawares.

The event successfully brought Bendigo families together to enjoy the sunshine while supporting the foundation.

Make-A-Wish Bendigo branch president Danielle Thompson said the event was a different way to spend Sunday.

"We wanted to do something fun," she said.

"We wanted to show the people of Bendigo what we do, too."

Volunteer event co-organiser Janine Davies said World Wish Day was a celebration of the first wish ever granted.

"The granting of this wish inspired a world-wide movement and only five years later, Make-A-Wish Australia was established," she said.

"We’ve been granting wishes to thousands of seriously ill kids around the country ever since and do great work here in our own community."

Volunteer event co-organiser Katrina Yap said it was an important event to bring families together.

"A lot of people are touched by this foundation," she said.

She said this event helped to spread the wings of the Make-A-Wish foundation even further.