In honour of Firdaws
CHARITY TAKES CHILDREN TO DISNEYLAND IN MEMORY OF GIRL WHO DIED IN GRENFELL TOWER FIRE
A KENSINGTON charity took 20 children to Disneyland Paris to honour the dream of a young girl who died in the Grenfell fire.
Firdaws Hashim, 12, who lost her life in the tragedy along with her two siblings and parents, had always dreamed of going to the resort.
In a bid to remember Firdaws’ wish, charity Solidarity Sports has been taking children from Kensington to the theme park in Paris for the past three years.
The latest trip saw 20 youths visit the resort, which is just shy of 20 miles from the French capital.
Redwan Kedir, who lost five family members in the fire and whose son Ramadan went on the trip, said: “It was the first time my son ever went away from me and he returned so happy.
“I feel like my brother is still alive because of this legacy – we are very, very happy.
“When he came back, he told me about all the fun times he had.”
Mr Kedir’s brother, Hashim, 44, his wife Nura Jamal, 35, and their three children Yaqub, six, Yahya, 13, and Firdaws, 12, perished in the blaze in June 2017.
Ramadan, 10, said the trip “was a dream come true.”
He added: “Everyone made me feel very safe – I like that they looked after me.
“My best memory was when we went on the rollercoaster so fast – I felt like I was flying in the sky.”
The trip was funded by the Hashim Family Legacy initiative, founded by Solidarity Sports to allow children in Kensington and Chelsea to fulfil their dreams.
Founder Sean Mendez, 38, said: “It’s a magical weekend away to give children an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“There are mixed feelings because we think she [Firdaws] should be there with us, but it’s such a positive experience for the children we are able to take.”