GENEROUS B.A. PAYS FOR FAMILY DREAM TRIP
A HERO’S dying wish to take his family to Disney World has come true – thanks to the Sunday People and British Airways.
Afghanistan veteran Lee Earnshaw, 42, is desperate to create treasured memories for his wife Natalie and their kids after being given months to live.
Two months ago we told how he was diagnosed with stage 4 incurable stomach cancer in June after he went to the GP with a swollen leg, just a week after cycling over 500 miles. All doctors could offer him was palliative care.
After giving 22 years to the Army – risking his life on tours in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan – he now dreams of a final family holiday.
British Airways bosses were so moved by his story in the Sunday People that they stepped in to help.
Next month BA will fly
Lee, wife Natalie, 42, and
Niamh, 10, Owen, 16, and
Joshua, 19, to Orlando,
Florida, and put them up in a four-star hotel at Disney
World. Lee, who rose to Regimental Sergeant Major before quitting the Army in 2016 to spend time with family, said: “It’s really humbling and so completely unexpected. I’m just so grateful to the Sunday People and BA.
“Natalie and I were so overwhelmed, we even had a bit of a cry together. For me, they’ll be final memories that I can treasure while I’m still here.
“And for my children, they are memories of us having fun together as a family that I hope they will cherish when I’m gone. My daughter has talked about nothing else since we told her.
“She is so excited and keeps saying how she can’t wait to meet Mickey Mouse. The whole thing will be just magical. We honestly can’t say thank you enough.” The family, from Doncaster, S Yorks, will be flown in business class Club World seats as part of its BA Magic100 campaign and stay at the stunning Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace.
The initiative was launched to mark British Airways’ centenary year and will see 100 customers honoured with 100 acts of kindness during 2019.
The family will then fly to Jamaica to stay at a luxury resort in Ocho Rios, using money from his crowdfunding page to extend the special trip by a week.
Lee, who is receiving palliative chemotherapy, said: “Jamaica has been on our bucket list for years – Natalie and I almost chose it for our honeymoon but my Army duties prevented us going. The last six months have been so sad – we can’t wait for joyful times ahead.
“We’ll be taking as many photos and videos as possible so the kids remember it forever.” Lee thought he was in good health but may have had cancer for up to ten years, as symptoms of stomach cancer rarely show themselves until it is too late. He said: “I was told in the worst case I had just a few months left. If I was lucky, a year. It devastates me every day. I’m 42 and hoped I’d be around for another 40 years.”
His Gofundme money – which has reached £24,000 – will also cover the cost of converting the family bathroom so Lee can stay at home in his last months. Any left will help pay for his funeral and his kids’ education.
Lee said: “I’ve just had three months of palliative chemotherapy, which has left me with sickness and extreme fatigue. It’s not been easy for the kids so to have this ray of sunshine to look forward to is amazing.”
Claire Bentley, of British Airways Holidays, said: “Lee and his family have all had such an incredibly tough time, so we would like to make their holiday to Orlando as special as possible.
“We are delighted that we are able to help with the flights and hotel accommodation.”
To give, visit: uk. go fundme.com/f/lee-earn shaw-cancer-battle