A total of nearly 200 children with serious illnesses and disadvantaged went on a charity-funded dream trip to Florida.
Dreamflight is taking youngsters across the UK on the dream trip of their dreams for the first time since the outbreak of coronavirus.
On Sunday, British Airways passengers were welcomed by a marching band as well as dogs of the Metropolitan Police.
The 192 children who were selected to take part in the 10-day Orlando holiday after having suffered from severe illness, disability, trauma or other serious conditions, cheered and stroked dogs as they arrived.
For many, the highlight of the trip, for which the charity has raised £1 million, will be swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove.
Children leave Heathrow Airport’s Hangar Event as part of the Dreamflight charity (Andrew Matthews/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Andrew Matthews
Safa Thagia (14), Bolton, Greater Manchester said: “I’m really excited for the whole experience, there’s going to be a lot of great activities and memories I’ll have for my whole life.
“I can’t wait to be swimming with dolphins, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Ashton Owen (12 years old), Trefechan (South Wales) said: “I really can’t wait now, I just want to get there and have fun.
“I want to hug a dolphin – that will be unbelievable and something I won’t forget.”
Harvey Walker, 15 years old, from Poole in Dorset, was on the waiting list for the trip that was cancelled last year. “I’m a bit nervous, but also excited – it’s my first trip without my parents.”
Children will be able to visit many attractions including SeaWorld, Disney World, and Universal Studios.
Children arrived at Heathrow to be greeted by airport staff (Andrew Matthews/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Andrew Matthews
It will be a first trip abroad for many.
Paralympic gold medalist swimmer Liz Johnson was a Dreamflight patron. She went on the trip with her 11-year-old self in 1997. “A lot of these young people spend their whole life being the odd one out, whereas here, there’s a lot of authentic inclusion.
“Their differences are normalised and they’ve got the best group of volunteers looking after them, so they can just feel empowered to find themselves.”
Lisa Bishop, fundraising manager at Dreamflight, said: “As this is the first trip since the pandemic, it’s absolutely huge – we’ve got some children who were nominated in 2019.
“We have raised £1 million for this year’s holiday.”
Dreamflight holidays have been enjoyed by more than 6,000 children in the country since 1987, when the first one was held.
For the escort of the children’s buses to the airport, officers wearing decorated helmets were worn by police officers (Andrew Matthews/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Andrew Matthews
This is the 34th trip organized by the charity.
Patricia Pearce, the founder of Dreamflight, stated: “It was quite funny yesterday when we were all getting together.
“It was quite an emotional day because we haven’t done this in three years and to be back together is very special.”
British Airways’ Director of Flight Operations, Captain Al Bridger stated: “It’s an absolute privilege for us to be involved – we’ve missed this through Covid.
“To be back again is wonderful.”