Over 100 NI children return from Lapland
MORE than 100 children from across Northern Ireland have just returned from a fun-filled trip to Lapland to visit Father Christmas at his home.
The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust flew the terminally ill, life-limited and other deserving boys and girls to meet Santa and enjoy a magical day of snow, presents and games in his white winter wonderland.
The children and their families, as well as the support staff, including doctors and nurses, checked into Belfast International Airport from 5am on Tuesday.
From there, they took a 8am TUI Airways flight to Roveniemi in Northern Finland.
Despite the early start, spirits didn’t wane as all passengers got into the festive spirit on board the three-hour flight.
Under the watchful eye of Santa’s cheery elves, thrill-seeking children and their parents enjoyed reindeer rides, husky dog rides, sledging, a visit to the elves’ workshop, as well as Mrs Claus’ gingerbread bakery factory.
The highlight was a private meet and greet with Santa Claus himself, after which the children continued their festive cheer theme 35,000 feet up on board their homeward bound flight.
Girda Rupsiene, from Randalstown, was on this year’s trip with her daughter Urte (8), and enjoyed a day they’ll never ever forget with memories to cherish forever.
“Travelling is such a stressful experience at the best of times, but when you are travelling with a child with medical needs, it becomes much more of a challenge to the point that it can be off-putting,” Girda said.
“This trip takes away all those stresses and allows the family really soak up the entire day worry free.”
Urte added: “I never thought I would ever get to meet Santa in his home. Everyone was so lovely and we got to do so much. It has been one of the best days of my life.”
Joining eight-year-old Ava Gallagher, from Portadown, was her father, James McKernan, who said: “The NI Children to Lapland Trust has given us a trip that we would ordinarily never experience.
“It has made Lapland and all its magic accessible to those who can’t travel and for that we are very grateful.”
Ava added: “Everything about the day was fun. My favourite part was the reindeer rides and it made me feel like I was a real-life elf!”
Established in 2008 by Larne man Jack Rodgers, the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust has transported more than 1,000 terminally ill and life-limited children to Santa Park in Roveniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland.
Every child on the trip is nominated by a Northern Ireland health care professional, many of whom will travel on
A MOTHER accused of having £65,000 worth of drugs found in a caravan had been under duress from loyalist paramilitaries for four years, the High Court has been told.
Julie-Anne Knell (43) is charged in connection with the seizure of high-purity cocaine and cannabis at the static home in Millisle, Co Down.
Around £16,000 in cash was also recovered on October 22 in a case previously said to be connected to the west Belfast UDA.
Opposing bail yesterday, prosecutors alleged Knell and 40-year-old co-accused Mark Magowan had established themselves in the drugs trade within north Down.
But during police interviews, she made claims of being “under duress from loyalist paramilitaries... for over four years.”
Knell, of Ballyvester Grove in Bangor, faces counts of possessing and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs. She is further charged with possessing criminal property.
Magowan, of Carnalea Place in Belfast, is currently in custody accused of similar offences.
The court heard that officers searched a house and then trawled through the caravan in Millisle, discovering drugs, suspected lists, scales and bags.
Defence barrister Declan Quinn argued that no drugs were located at Knell’s own home.
He added that only £1,000 in cash was found at that address, with an explanation given that it was “Christmas money”.
Mr Quinn also set out his client’s history of chronic ill-health,
Knell was granted bail with conditions attached.