Christmas came early for children suffering from cancer with a trip to Disneyland Paris last month thanks to generous residents who dug deep for a children’s cancer charity.

Children from High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Aylesbury were taken on the Thomas Ball Children’s Cancer Fund’s 13th annual trip, after the charity managed to raise the £12,000 it needed to fund the trip.

Ten families who all have a child suffering from cancer were taken on the three-day trip, which set off from Wycombe Hospital, ahead of Christmas. 

Children were put forward by hospitals from the area – three families from High Wycombe, one family from Beaconsfield and two families from Aylesbury were treated to the break.

Prestwood-based Thomas Ball Children’s Cancer Fund was set up in 1999 by the parents of Thomas Ball, then aged nine, who had undergone almost two years of gruelling treatment for neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer.

Sadly Thomas, who was a pupil at The Misbourne School in Great Missenden, died from the disease in 2003 when the cancer returned after being in remission for three years.

His parents Elaine and Trevor Ball now strive to keep their son’s legacy alive by helping hundreds of sick children every year with the fund.

Thomas’ mum and the charity’s chairman Elaine said: “It was touch and go this year as we have lost our main donor who had been funding the trip for several years, but thanks to our generous supporters we still managed to rustle up the £12,000 needed for the trip, and for that we are immensely grateful.

“It’s such a magical time of year at Disney – the children enjoy the parades and seeing Santa. 

“The weather was very wet this year but spirits were not dampened and everyone had a magnificent time. 

“The courage and determination of these sick children who are undergoing painful treatments for cancer is humbling and to see their little faces light up is priceless.”

The charity has already started looking for people or organisations who can help them raise money for their 2018 Christmas trip. 

Contact Mrs Ball on 01494 890157 if you can help.