It’s a dream come true – Capital kids head for fun in Florida sun

Three teenagers from ­Edinburgh have joined a party of youngsters on the holiday trip of a lifetime. Bryce Patterson, 13, Kieron Emslie, 12, and 14-year-old Cameron Markie, were on board British ­Airways flight BA 9117 as it took off from ­Heathrow with 200 very important ­children bound for Florida.

The youngsters, who all have a serious illness or disability, are flying to Orlando with the airline and UK-based charity Dreamflight.

The children, aged between eight and 14 from all corners of the United Kingdom, were joined by Paralympic gold medallist Liz Johnson and a team of ­volunteers.

For the last 32 years, Dreamflight has been raising funds to enable a specially chartered British Airways jumbo jet to fly nearly 200 children to the sunshine state every year, getting them away for a ten-day trip without their parents. The adventure is only made possible with support from the airline’s crew and Dreamflight doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and non-medics who care for the children around the clock during the trip.

Dreamflight patron Liz started her journey with the charity in the late 1990s, having travelled as a child herself.

She said: “As an 11 year old with cerebral palsy, my Dreamflight experience empowered me to embrace difference and opportunity with increased confidence and removed a subconscious dependence that I had on my immediate support network.

“This enabled me to unlock my potential and follow my dreams – I can’t wait to support this year’s young people in their quest to do the same with the added bonus of developing their swimming abilities.”

Ahead of the flight’s departure, 15 volunteers were dressed in superhero outfits, while the Air Cadet National Marching Band put on a show-stopping performance.

British Airways cabin crew and pilots were also at Heathrow as the children boarded the Boeing 747 through a magical castle.

Captain Andy Raynes, who operated this flight to Orlando, said: “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be flying Dreamflight for the tenth year running. I leave London as a pilot and arrive as a helper and chaperone, it’s a truly ­humbling experience.

“What’s even more special is to see how far the children come in such a short space of time – that’s what drives me to come back each year.”

Dreamflight is a UK charity that changes young lives through taking children with a serious illness or disability, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida.

Established in 1987 and operating annually since, Dreamflight believes that fun and joy are just as important as medical research and equipment – especially for children who perhaps can’t wait long enough for the breakthrough they need or whose illnesses and treatments have brought pain and distress to their lives.