Twenty children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions have returned home to Northern Ireland after an ‘unforgettable’ trip to Disneyland Paris.
The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT) took a group of 44 people, including the children, their parents, healthcare professionals and charity representatives, to Paris for a weekend of Disney magic.
Children are nominated for the charity’s trips by doctors and nurses from Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland.
For six-year-old Calla from Belfast, the trip offered the chance to experience the Disney characters and stories she loves.
Her parents, Jodie and Andrina McAllister, said: “The trip was such an amazing opportunity for her because she absolutely loves Disney. Watching her face light up as she experienced the magic is a moment we will never forget.”
Eight-year-old Brodie from Claudy, who is living with a heart condition, also saw their dream come true.
His grandmother, Kathleen Coyle, said: “To say we are overjoyed that our grandson’s dream came true is an understatement.”
Franklin Simpson (7) from Carrowdore, Newtownards
Seven-year-old Franklin from Newtownards has cystic fibrosis and has faced numerous complications and surgeries since he was born.
His mum, Chelsea Simpson, said: “He has been through so much since he was born, including many complications and surgeries, and at one point we nearly lost him.
“When we were told he had been chosen to go to Disneyland Paris, it felt like a dream come true.”
Agata Oliveira and daughter Leonor (9) from Bangor
Nine-year-old Leonor from Bangor was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Her mum, Agata Oliveira, said: “She was so excited to meet the characters and experience all the Disney magic.”
For four-year-old Catherine from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, the trip provided a break from her regular therapies.
Her mum, Joanne Cox, said: “Catherine spends endless weeks attending intensive therapies, so being able to enjoy a fun trip that was not therapy-based meant so much to her and to us as a family.”
Maddison Keates (5) from Antrim
Five-year-old Maddison from Antrim has spent around 80 days in hospital over the past few years as a result of recurring, sudden-onset severe bronchospasm.
Her mum, Susanne Keates, said the family was “so excited” to have the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris.
The charity’s Chair, Colin Barkley, highlighted the importance of the trip: “What makes this trip so special is seeing families able to focus simply on enjoying time together. Our team and the medical professionals who travel with us work hard to make the experience as safe, accessible and relaxed as possible.
“We are enormously grateful to everyone whose support helps us create these memories for children and families across Northern Ireland.”
Each year, NICLT takes around 80 local children to Lapland, giving families a welcome break from the daily challenges of caring, allowing them to create lasting memories with their children.
Around 1,500 children in Northern Ireland are living with a terminal or life-limiting illness. With no government funding, the charity relies on corporate sponsors and donations.