Dreams do come true
This year’s Dreams Take Flight program will honour late Mark Royal
The co-ordinator of the Cape Breton chapter of Dreams Takes Flight Atlantic said, along with the dreams of 160 children, they will be making another special dream come true.
Donnie Vaters said this year’s trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., will be named in memory of the late Const. Mark Royal, who while battling cancer was instrumental in getting the Cape Breton chapter back up and running so children on the island could take a trip of a lifetime.
“Mark told me when he got better he wanted to be a part of it too,” Vaters said.
Royal, who was a member of the Cape Breton Regional Police, died on May 15, 2017, at age 36.
“This trip is dedicated in memory of him and he will be part of being there with 160 deserving kids.”
Established in 1992, the national charitable organization is dedicated to providing the trip to medically, mentally, physically, socially or emotionally challenged children.
Vaters had volunteered with Dreams Take Flight for many years, raising money and accompanying children on the trip.
In 2010, Vaters left the organization and six years later, in May 2016, he got a call from Royal who indicated his partner, Const. Danielle Campbell, wanted to get involved and was looking for a connection to the program.
The following month, Vaters received a call from Brian Lent, president of Dreams Take Flight Atlantic, asking if he would rejoin the program and in October 2016 he was named the Cape Breton co-ordinator.
Vaters said the objective was to build a new strong team and Campbell and Royal were the first two people he contacted.
“Mark was the one who got me inspired to get involved again,” he said.
Vaters said in 2017 eight Cape Breton children took part but as a result of a strong local effort, 20 children will make the trip this year.
“Mark was a catalyst that lined up the stars, the moon, the heavens that made this happen,” he said.
Campbell said while Royal fought a courageous battle with cancer, helping others never left his mind and he was instrumental in getting her involved.
She said Royal had a special way with kids and was generous with his time.
“He would go out of his way to help children,” she said. “At onepoint Mark told me once he got rid of his symptoms from battling cancer he’d love to go on the trip too.”
Campbell said it’s touching the trip this year is being dedicated to Royal.
“It’s like he’s going to be a part of it.”
In the 2018 Dreams Takes Flight book, Campbell shared a passage about Royal:
“Mark was instrumental in forming our Cape Breton committee while battling cancer. Mark will be watching over us. His contributions and generosity will always be remembered.”
Det. Sgt. Mike Somerton of the regional police said Royal’s life was about helping the community.
Somerton said Royal was his best friend and they coached minor hockey together in Glace Bay for five years.
“Mark got along so well with the kids and parents,” he said. “We had to stop because of his health but we were both very dedicated to it.”
Royal was also involved in Cops Against Cancer and safe grad as well as Shop of the Class, an annual Christmas shopping program held in conjunction with the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board and Mayflower Mall.
“That’s the kind of guy he was, always helping others.”