Festive Disneyland treat for seriously ill children (From Bucks Free Press)

Festive Disneyland treat for seriously ill children

11:00am Tuesday 25th December 2012 in News By Neil Phillips

A GROUP of sick children suffering from various types of cancer enjoyed a magical three day festive break at Disneyland Paris, organised by a Prestwood-based charity dedicated to helping seriously ill youngsters.

Children were nominated to The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund by hospitals across the area and included youngsters from High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Chesham and Amersham. Elaine Ball said of the trip "This is our eighth group holiday to Disneyland Paris and we are fortunate to have found one Bucks business man who pays for the whole trip in total for which we are extremely grateful.”

The charity was founded in 1999 by Thomas Ball, who, aged 14, lost his battle to neuroblastoma - a rare form of nerve cancer found in children.

Elaine, Thomas’ mother and chairman of the charity, added: “We normally take twelve children every year but due to the severity of the illness, its always touch and go up until the last minute as to who will be well enough on the day. Sadly two children were still in hospital on the morning of the trip, so we plan to send these children later in the year but this will cost extra funds.”

All the children who went were able to enjoy the festive trip with their families, meaning a total of 50 people attended in all – enough to occupy a whole carriage on the Euro Star. And while the Disneyland Paris trip was underway, the fundraising effort was going full steam ahead back here in Bucks.

Members of the RAF based in High Wycombe were raising cash for the charity by cycling the distance from High Wycombe to Disneyland Paris on a static bike. The team covered 1,945km between them and raised £1,000.

The charity trustees said they were delighted with the result and the efforts of all those involved and would like to thank all those who took part.

The trustees are always on the lookout for volunteers, who are desperately needed at the moment to sell raffle tickets for the annual draw that will take place on February 9 next year at a charity quiz night in Prestwood village hall. Please contact Elaine Ball if you can help by emailing tomballcharity@aol.com or phone 01494 890157. More information about the charity can be found at www.thomasball.org.uk

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