Charity requires helpers to make dreams come true for disabled children and their families.
The search is on to find 32 highly committed, and dedicated, volunteers to accompany a group of 25 disabled children, and their families, on a dream holiday to Florida in December 2014.
Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children, and their families, is appealing for volunteers from 18-years-of-age upwards, and who are physically fit, to come forward and make the ‘Destination Dreams’ Florida trip a reality for the children, who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Laura Ralfe, a solicitor from Birmingham, volunteered on the once-in-a-lifetime holiday last year. She found the experience life-changing. Laura said: “I always struggle to describe the impact Destination Dreams has had on my life, as it’s difficult to put it into words. The whole experience was truly magical and I burst with pride knowing I was a part of it. I had the time of my life and yet parents were thanking me for my help! No matter what your background, or experience, everybody has something to give. Just go and experience the magic first hand.”
With 104 children losing their lives each week, and over 2,200 children spending more than six months of their short lives in hospital, it’s easy to see why the charity chose to give children the opportunity of a once in a lifetime holiday overseas.
The charity made the decision to provide the fully supported Destination Dreams family holiday seven years ago. Since then they’ve created magical memories for hundreds of children from across the UK.The respite holiday, to the Sunshine State, will see families enjoying the magical delights of Disney World. This has proven to be the perfect environment in which families can enjoy quality time together, experiencing, perhaps for the first time, a level of normality in their lives.
Roxanne Hawkins, Senior Volunteer Project Coordinator for Caudwell Children, said: “We urgently need to hear from prospective volunteers. Applications close on Friday 4th April and whilst it would be great to hear from individuals with some experience of working with children, it doesn’t preclude those without. It’s vital that we have a full complement of volunteers as without them the trip won’t be able to take place.”
Volunteers need to have a full, valid, passport and will be required to attend a residential training weekend prior to departure, in October, and be available to travel from 30thNovember-9th December 2014. Volunteers will spend nine nights away from home.
Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive of Caudwell Children, believes that those who come forward will have a life-changing experience. She said: “This is, arguably, the best volunteer opportunity ever. Rollercoasters, unlimited ice cream, whale watching, it’s all part of the job when you have to make the dreams of 25 disabled children come true. Volunteers will have to be able to cope with the heady excitement of several of Florida’s world-famous theme parks, and they will have to be prepared to have fun from dawn until dusk. What could be better?
“Those who have volunteered on Destination Dreams in the past tell us that it’s an incredibly powerful experience and have described it as magical, uplifting, humbling, empowering and extremely rewarding.”
For further information and an application pack please contact the Caudwell Children Volunteers Department on 01782 600443 or email volunteering@caudwellchildren.
Applications close on Friday 4th April 2014.