Dream trip delight for sick Jamie, 13
ATEENAGER with an incurable disease is going on a dream holiday thanks to kindhearted Southport business-owners.
Jamie Connolly, 13, suffers from immune def-iciency disease which affects his sinuses, chest, ears, and stomach, meaning he often gets infections, and is regularly admitted to hospital.
The illness has caused scarring on the Meols Cop pupil’s lungs, meaning less oxygen can pass through to his body, causing clubbed fingers, which is now irreversible.
Eventually, it is thought that a lung transplant may be needed. Last year, his mum, Deborahlyn Connolly, 35, launched an appeal to raise funds to take Jamie on a dream holiday to Orlando, Florida, which she said she could “never afford”.
Deborah-lyn said: “He is a huge film fan, he wants to go to Orlando to see Universal Studios. For just me to take him, it would cost £3,000.
“If I can, I would love to be able to take him in 2018, while he’s fine to fly.
“He’s such a lovely boy. He really deserves something to look forward to during all his treatment and bed-ridden days.”
Tanya and Louie Gaffney, owners of Playtown on Ocean Plaza, surprised Jamie by paying for seven nights’ accommodation in Orlando on his 13th birthday.
Deborah-lyn said: “We were absolutely blown away by their kindness.
“That meant that I was able to reduce the amount we needed to raise, to just cover the flights.”
Shortly after, the family were surprised again by the fact that a collection jar in Mr Chips Chip Shop, in Churchtown, raised an additional £300, with the owner, Eyup Kocabey, also donating a sum in memory of his mother.
Deborah-lyn said: “This meant we had enough money to book our flights.
“I kept the secret until Jamie had a particularly bad day with his health and I surprised him with the cards then, and told him we did it. Jamie jumped up and down, he was so happy.
“He said he can’t believe people are so nice and kind, he is so grateful.”
Deborah-lyn is now hoping to book the holiday for October – and Jamie cannot wait.
She said: “God bless you all. You have made a poorly little boy very happy.
“We have the booking under way, to fulfil his dream of going to Universal Studios, in Florida.”