TWENTY excited youngsters with special needs from Chester, Flintshire and Ellesmere Port jetted out of Manchester Airport for this year’s Chronicle-backed trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris with Miles of Smiles.
Each child was accompanied by a parent or guardian and the group was joined by GP Heather Pearson and co-ordinators from the charity.
The sun shone for the duration of the adventure and this year the fabulous New York Hotel was the base for the four day, all expenses paid trip.
Twelve months of fundraising events and donations from individuals, teams, groups and businesses helped make dreams come true for local families, and parents in the group were quick to praise the charity and it’s supporters.
Liz Wolfe, of Blacon, who accompanied son Stuart, said: “You can’t really put into words what this has meant to us as a family. The anticipation of what it might be like, then actually boarding the plane and being part of it all is something Stuart and I will never forget.”
Leading this year’s trip was co-ordinator Brian Peers from Buckley. He said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to Mandie and Helen from Grosvenor Travel and the Flybe team who couldn’t do enough for the group during our flights.”
Wati Leqaiwai and son Elisha from The Dale Camp in Chester had a roller coaster time even before their trip started. Wati explained: “We hold Fijian passports and had to get special visas to make the trip. Right up until the day before we flew out to Paris we were uncertain whether we were going to make it.
“All the turmoil was soon forgotten though as we became part of something very moving and very, very special.”
Sandra O’Brien from Saltney accompanied seven-year-old son Alex and said: “We have had the most wonderful time and cannot thank the people who have made our trip possible enough.”
Keith Bolton and 10-year-old son Joel from Broughton also enthused about their holiday. Keith said: “Everyone made us feel very special.”
Julie Pleavin and seven-year-old daughter Natasha from Great Sutton also had a trip of a lifetime. Julie said: “Everyone involved in making these trips happen should be very proud. You can’t express how wonderful the whole adventure has been for us.”
Miles of Smiles chairman Mick Hughes said: “Another fantastic trip has been made possible by an army of fundraisers and supporters all committed to changing lives for the better.”
