Youngsters swam with dolphins in Orlando

A GROUP of seriously ill and disadvantaged children conquered their fears on a once-in-a-lifetime sunshine holiday in America.

They joined about 190 kids from across the UK to spend 10 days in Florida on the annual Dreamflight trip – after being nominated by doctors, healthcare teams and social workers from around the country.

The youngsters – some of whom require round-the-clock attention – visited SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Disney BY COLETTE CRAMPSEY colette.crampsey@reachplc.com World during an action-packed tour of the sunshine state.

As a final treat, they got the chance to swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove in Orlando.

Rebecca Breedon, 13, from Newbie, Dumfriesshire, said: “I was very, very excited when I found I was coming on Dreamflight, I cried.

“I’d never been on holiday before but I was OK with going away from home for the first time. The best bit was swimming with dolphins. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Stephen Gallacher, 14, from Musselburgh in East Lothian, said: “Dreamflight has given me a lot, including making me braver – I’ve been on rollercoaster rides I wouldn’t have normally been on.”

The charity are celebrating their 32nd year. The whole trip cost about £800,000 and covered everything from a chartered British Airways jet to three meals a day for the youngsters.”