{"id":397066,"date":"2025-09-04T11:04:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T11:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/397066\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T11:04:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T11:04:14","slug":"we-will-be-forever-grateful-for-the-special-memories-20-brave-kids-from-across-ni-enjoy-a-magical-trip-to-disneyland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/397066\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We will be forever grateful for the special memories\u2019: 20 brave kids from across NI enjoy a magical trip to Disneyland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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).<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">A group of 44 people, including parents, local health professionals, and NICLT representatives, set off on Saturday for two days. <\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Faye McEvoy (10) from Co Tyrone with Colin Barkley, Chair, Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and mum Nuala McEvoy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/eb687bb7-dd8f-46a3-83b0-8afb03c4edfa.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_caption1 beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_secondary beltel-66f0fec7_regular beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom0 beltel-1d70522a_marginleft0 beltel-1d70522a_marginright0 beltel-1d70522a_margintop3 beltel-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Faye McEvoy (10) from Co Tyrone with Colin Barkley, Chair, Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and mum Nuala McEvoy<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Faye McEvoy (10), from Coalisland, Co Tyrone, was one of the children on the trip.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in October 2024 and has just completed her treatment this August.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Her mum, Nuala, said Faye loved her trip to Disney. <\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\"> \u201cFaye 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Kristina and Nigel Christie with son Leighton and daughter Eva from Ballymoney\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1585ccb4-17fc-4e3a-95f6-c8d542a839f2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_caption1 beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_secondary beltel-66f0fec7_regular beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom0 beltel-1d70522a_marginleft0 beltel-1d70522a_marginright0 beltel-1d70522a_margintop3 beltel-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Kristina and Nigel Christie with son Leighton and daughter Eva from Ballymoney<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Eva Christie (5), from Ballymoney, has cerebral palsy, which developed after a hypoxic brain injury during a routine procedure at just eight weeks old.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Her mum, Kristina, said the trip was a chance for Eva to make some magical memories. <\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\"> \u201cWe are so excited Eva has been given this very special opportunity to go to Disneyland. We would like to thank her Community Children\u2019s Nurses for putting her name forward and the NI Children to Lapland Trust for making this possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">&#8220;We will be forever grateful for the special memories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Melanie and Darren Pritchard and son Caiden (6) from Omagh\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/72e90e6a-d386-4434-9f40-7c9f61769e1e.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_caption1 beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_secondary beltel-66f0fec7_regular beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom0 beltel-1d70522a_marginleft0 beltel-1d70522a_marginright0 beltel-1d70522a_margintop3 beltel-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Melanie and Darren Pritchard and son Caiden (6) from Omagh<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Caiden Pritchard (6), from Omagh, lives with a life-limiting condition called MECP2 Duplication Syndrome.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">His parents, Melanie and Darren, were pleased he enjoyed the trip.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The trip was carefully organised and supported by doctors and nurses from Causeway Hospital, NICLT General Manager Fiona Williamson, and board member Anna Kayes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Dedicated medical professionals were present during the trip, allowing the families to fully enjoy the experience with peace of mind.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mollie O\u2019Rourke (7) from West Belfast&#10;&#10;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2c8e58c2-5bf6-4d1b-a4f8-da434a4988b5.jpg\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_caption1 beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_secondary beltel-66f0fec7_regular beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom0 beltel-1d70522a_marginleft0 beltel-1d70522a_marginright0 beltel-1d70522a_margintop3 beltel-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Mollie O\u2019Rourke (7) from West Belfast<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_caption1 beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_secondary beltel-66f0fec7_regular beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom0 beltel-1d70522a_marginleft0 beltel-1d70522a_marginright0 beltel-1d70522a_margintop3 beltel-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Belfast History Explained: Who was Sheila the Elephant?<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">NICLT Chairman Colin Barkley said trips like this one are important to families: \u201cWe are committed to giving these incredible children and their families the chance to create unforgettable memories. <\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">&#8220;Thanks to the generosity of our donors, fundraisers, and corporate partners \u2014 including The Bushmills Inn, WineFlair, C-Tec (NI), Glens of Antrim Potatoes, CosyRoof, Bells of Crossgar, Energystore, and Mango Contact Centre \u2014 we\u2019ve been able to expand our reach and offer this wonderful experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Colin added: \u201cFrom 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"beltel-ebe0ecc6_root beltel-ebe0ecc6_paragraph beltel-300db776_none beltel-91174671_primary beltel-1d70522a_marginbottom5 beltel-1d70522a_margintop0 beltel-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">&#8220;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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The children, all living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, were taken to the Disneyland Paris theme park by&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":397067,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5011],"tags":[34912,823,1611,1144,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-397066","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-northern-ireland","8":"tag-department-of-health","9":"tag-disney","10":"tag-jessica-rice","11":"tag-northern-ireland","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115145701211838610","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/397066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=397066"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/397066\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/397067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=397066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=397066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=397066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}