Trip to Lapand makes Christmas dreams come true (From Leigh Journal)

Trip to Lapand makes Christmas dreams come true

11:48am Wednesday 16th December 2009 in

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TWO little heroes have flown to Lapland on the Christmas trip of a lifetime.

Brave Thomas Ashbrook, five, and seven-years-old Harvey Davies, joined two parties on the magical journey, set up by wish granting charities who make life brighter for children suffering from serious and life threatening illnesses..

Thomas, of Redford Close, Leigh, had his ultimate dream to meet the real Father Christmas come true thanks to Starlight Children’s Foundation, while Harvey, of Brookfield Street, Leigh, was nominated for the Wish Upon A Star flight.

On December 19 last year Thomas fell unconscious and within an hour was on a life support machine. Over the past year has had to relearn how to use his muscles.

Doctors told parents Dawn and Steven that his condition was caused by the rare and unexpected reaction of his immune system caused by a bout of influenza and glandular fever.

Having had to cancel Christmas last year his parents wanted to give him the Christmas of his dreams and his ultimate wish to meet Santa!

Last week they woke him up very early with the news that his dream was about to come true! He, his mum and dad and baby sister Jessica joined 12 other families on the once in a lifetime trip, They spent four days staying in log cabins nestled in the arctic wilderness complete with their own sledges. They took a ride on a reindeer sleigh to look for Santa in the forest, played with baby huskies, and went ice fishing before meeting Santa Dawn said: “We had the most fantastic time ever! It was all just so magical for the whole family. I can't say how thankful I am that Starlight did this for us. After last year I was dreading Christmas but now I am looking forward to it so much!”

Harvey, a pupil at Garret Hall, Tyldesley, has also had a tough year. In March he was diagnosed with cancer and had chemotherapy until the end of June.

Mum, Clare said: “He was really brave, amazing really. He was worried about losing his hair, so friends and relatives did a sponsored head shave and some of his school friends did too so he wouldn’t be the only bald one.

“He is now in remission and fingers crossed he is on the mend. He was awarded a Cancer Research Little Star award and was nominated by Christies for the Lapland trip.

“We met loads of stars and he loved the enchanted forest, husky riding, sleigh riding and meeting Santa. It was absolutely brilliant.”