Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Baker bags Apprentice’s £250k prize
CARINA Lepore is hoping to make serious dough after Lord Sugar crowned her winner of The Apprentice and invested £250,000 in her artisan bakery.
He chose the 30-year-old over Scarlett Allen-horton, 32, who wanted to grow her recruitment business.
Mum of one Carina, from South London, said of her win last night: “It’s been an amazing, amazing achievement for myself.
“I came in with the mindset that I’d want to win and prove myself to Lord Sugar, Karren Brady and Claude Littner that I am hard-working.”
Lord Sugar told her: “The only thing going for you is that it’s food and when you look at the high street these days, that’s all it’s packed with. I like the idea of more bread.”
THE magic of Christmas came alive for more than 100 children with lifelimiting conditions when they jetted off to Lapland to meet Santa.
On arriving in Finland for Tuesday’s all-inclusive day trip, families enjoyed thrilling experiences including reindeer rides, sledging and a ginger bread factory visit with Mrs Claus.
And in an unforgettable moment for the kids they spent time with the big man himself in a private meet and greet session organised by NI Children To Lapland Trust and TUI.
Urte Rupsiene, eight, described the visit as the “best day of my life” and mum Girda, from Randalstown, Co Antrim, thanked the charity for the fantastic opportunity.
She said: “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. Challenging to the point it can be off-putting, but this trip takes away all those stresses and allows the family to really soak up the entire day worry-free.
“The NI Children To Lapland Trust has given our family a day we’ll never ever forget, a memory we’ll cherish forever.”
Chair Colin Barkley described the 11th trip since the charity was established in 2008 as a privilege.
He added: “Seeing the children get excited over everything Lapland has to offer is wonderful and we are absolutely thrilled to have TUI on board this year.
“The amazing team offered their support to provide this special flight to Lapland and we’re so grateful for all the effort they’ve invested to make this trip possible.
“We would also like to thank the fantastic team at Belfast International Airport and the ground staff from
Swissport who go above and beyond the call of duty every year. Not only do they dress up in Christmas costumes they also open all of the check-in desks at 5am to ensure the children have a quick and smooth check-in.
“In addition, the airport’s security team always ensures a speedy transition despite the significant levels of medication and medical equipment that is required for this flight, which is essentially a flying hospital.
“It would be remiss of us not to also mention our wonderful ground handlers in Lapland, Wild Nordic, who play a critical role in this trip. They have been working with us since the charity was established over 10 years ago.
“There is no better Christmas gift to give and on behalf of the children we would like to say a huge heartfelt thankyou to all involved.”
TUI Ireland marketing manager Charlotte Brenner said: “We are delighted to be able to support the charity and ensure the children are able to enjoy the magic of Lapland.
“It is amazing to see so many people come together and do their part to make this special day happen.”
For more information visit www. niclt.org