The children, all living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, were taken to the Disneyland Paris theme park by the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT).
A group of 44 people, including parents, local health professionals, and NICLT representatives, set off on Saturday for two days.
This initiative aims to provide families with the opportunity to take a break from the daily challenges of managing serious health conditions and instead create joyful, lasting memories.
Faye McEvoy (10) from Co Tyrone with Colin Barkley, Chair, Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and mum Nuala McEvoy
Faye McEvoy (10), from Coalisland, Co Tyrone, was one of the children on the trip.
She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in October 2024 and has just completed her treatment this August.
Her mum, Nuala, said Faye loved her trip to Disney.
“Faye is a big Disney fan. All the opportunities she has missed out on throughout the year have now been forgotten, thanks to this magical trip to Disneyland Paris.”
Kristina and Nigel Christie with son Leighton and daughter Eva from Ballymoney
Eva Christie (5), from Ballymoney, has cerebral palsy, which developed after a hypoxic brain injury during a routine procedure at just eight weeks old.
Her mum, Kristina, said the trip was a chance for Eva to make some magical memories.
“We are so excited Eva has been given this very special opportunity to go to Disneyland. We would like to thank her Community Children’s Nurses for putting her name forward and the NI Children to Lapland Trust for making this possible.
“We will be forever grateful for the special memories.”
Melanie and Darren Pritchard and son Caiden (6) from Omagh
Caiden Pritchard (6), from Omagh, lives with a life-limiting condition called MECP2 Duplication Syndrome.
His parents, Melanie and Darren, were pleased he enjoyed the trip.
“This trip is absolutely amazing for Caiden. To see his face light up meeting the Disney characters and to share these precious moments together is something we will treasure forever.”
The trip was carefully organised and supported by doctors and nurses from Causeway Hospital, NICLT General Manager Fiona Williamson, and board member Anna Kayes.
Dedicated medical professionals were present during the trip, allowing the families to fully enjoy the experience with peace of mind.
Mollie O’Rourke (7) from West Belfast
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NICLT Chairman Colin Barkley said trips like this one are important to families: “We are committed to giving these incredible children and their families the chance to create unforgettable memories.
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, fundraisers, and corporate partners — including The Bushmills Inn, WineFlair, C-Tec (NI), Glens of Antrim Potatoes, CosyRoof, Bells of Crossgar, Energystore, and Mango Contact Centre — we’ve been able to expand our reach and offer this wonderful experience.”
Colin added: “From the feedback we received, the trip to Disneyland Paris was an outstanding success, despite the cancellation of our return flight, which required an additional night in a Paris airport hotel.
“The charity team was on hand to ensure that everyone felt fully supported. The strong bonds formed during the trip became clear, as parents, children, and our administrative and medical teams worked together to minimise the inconvenience.”