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eds, has Acute lymhoblastic leukemia and as come to Lapland ith mum Sofia and dad ark. Playing in the snow, ledging, and having a agical reindeer ride hrough the Arctic forest, heir faces light up. Twins Aimee and Sophie onn, four, from Glasgow, also ot to meet Santa and play in the orth Pole snow. Aimee is being reated at Birmingham Children’s ospital for a rare cancer of he eye. Little Charlie Williams, five, rom Ludlow, Shrops, also has ancer. Mum Mel says: “Charlie ad aching joints and was very ired all the time. “He had a virus and it didn’t et any better. We went for lood tests and the doctor onfirmed it the same day. He tarted six weeks of intensive hemo straight away and last eek we started maintenance chemo. It’s been so hard because he started school this year and in the same week he lost his hair. Luckily his school and teachers have been wonderful. Charlie’s lost some confidence and it’s not been an easy time but he’s been so brave and astounds us every day.
“This is the trip of a lifetime, he’s so excited to meet Father Christmas and, for one day, feel like a normal little boy.”
Also on the trip is star of Channel 4’s Gogglebox and BBC Songs Of Praise, Reverend Kate Bottley. She says: “It’s overwhelming to be here.
“As a parent of a child with special needs myself I can really empathise with the families here today.”
Harley Jones, 10, from Newport, south Wales, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which is a congenital condition where half the heart doesn’t develop.
His nan Carol says: “Poor Harley has had a lot of operations which haven’t been much fun.
“He has a one-sided weakness and no or limited use of his one hand and leg.
“He gets tired easily and can’t play sports like football with his friends. This trip is fab and such an incredible day for him. He’s laughing and smiling and loving it so much.”
Mason Gibbs, four, from Luton, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2014 and has been having intense chemotherapy treatment.
Mum Rebecca says: “It’s every mother’s nightmare to have a sick child.
“He was breathing too fast and they told us the tumour was wrapped around his heart. It’s been a really rough few years.”
Many of the children on the trip have very rare and complex conditions which mean travelling on a plane is only made possible by When You Wish Upon A Star’s team of dedicated staff, which include six paramedics and doctors.
Samuel Walker, five, and sister Olivia, 10, from Tamworth, Staffs, also enjoyed their adventure. Dad Richard says: “Samuel has been so unwell with several very rare conditions including Oto Renal syndrome; we think there are only two people in the whole country with it. “He’s had such a rough ride and been in hospital so much – we’d love to hear from any other families who have been through a similar thing.” Vivek Masania, eight, from Leicester, has Arthrogryposis and was born with joints locked together in his wrists, feet and elbows. Dad Ameet reveals: “We were invited on the trip last year but he was too poorly to come. But he is so happy to be here and we can’t thank the charity enough for making it happen.” When You Wish Upon A Star is funded solely by public donations. Fundraiser Maggie Falconer reveals: “A trip like this can cost the charity more than £90,000.” ¬
Please help make magical dream wishes like these happen for sick children all over the UK. To donate or find out more, visit whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk