Humberside 2011

On Tuesday 13th December we were accompanied by 86 children from our region, together with a parent and our full medical team, on a magical trip to Lapland to see the real Father Christmas in his homeland.

Of the 86 children we took, 54 were receiving treatment for one kind of Cancer or another, the remainder suffering from life threatening illnesses such as heart conditions, genetic disorders and other severe illnesses.

We were greeted at Humberside Airport by some colourful characters from Nisa-Today's and we were joined on the trip by Kelli Hollis and Alicya Eyo, Grace Cassidy and Sophie Powles from Emmerdale and Loose Women's Denise Welch.

On arrival in Lapland, we took five coaches deep into the forest, where the only sound that could be heard was one of children's laughter and chatter.  There, they went on skidoo rides, husky and reindeer pulled sleighs, skidoos and toboggans and ate toasted marshmallows and hot sausages by the open fires.  Best of all, it snowed while we were there, making the forest seem like the most magical place on earth at that moment.

Our time in the forest over, we travelled into the centre of Rovaniemi to the Hotel Pojanhovi, where we feasted on a wonderful buffet and waited for Santa's imminent arrival.  We sang songs to guide him to us and eventually he came in to the room with Rudolph to meet our delighted, and very excited, children.

Each child met Santa and received a gift of a cuddly reindeer from him, sharing with him their Christmas wishes and excitement of the day.

Our trip continued on to Santa's Village, where we crossed the Arctic Circle and sent postcards home from Santa's Post Office.  Children played on the huge ice slide and visited the festive gift shops.

On our return journey we sang songs, at least some of us did, others gave in to the contented exhaustion felt from the day and snuggled down and slept the journey home.

It was, without doubt, the most amazing day, shared with the most incredible children and their families.  All had a story to tell, each brave beyond our adult comprehension, each incredibly special.  Sharing this day with the families, and having received feedback since, we know just how very much this means to them and why our work must continue. 

We would like to take the opportunity of thanking everyone who supports us in the region in any way throughout the year - we simply could not do what we do without you and we can assure you our families are very grateful.