OT: Charity Request - Dreamflight 2008
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Oct 20, 2008, 5:22 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
Oct 21, 2008, 8:33 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, BD Silver, IHG Plat (I'Con Ambassador), Marriott Plat (and a mortgage I get no use out of!)
Posts: 42
Was lucky enough to be at Heathrow with the Shrek bunch from Wales and the South West - what a BRILLIANT day. As a tough, unemotional chap, there were moments when my eyes started watering for no reason, must've been Heathrow's dusty ramps.... (or Cliff Richard's singing....?)
This is one charity which makes so much of a difference - 7 Paraolympians were there and they all said that without Dreamflight they wouldn't have pushed themselves to do what they are doing - please donate if you've not done already as I have never seen so many smiling kids in one place with everything that life's thrown at them so far forgotten. Truly life-changing.
The number of BA staff (and others) who give up their time free to help was staggering, from loaders, to pilots (or the Three Musketeers as they were dressed up as!), hosties, ground crew, red caps etc etc - the bit that made me laugh the most was as we pulled in in our coach the baggage handlers stopped and started waving at us. One of the hosties with us turned around to the kids and said "that are the lot you really want to wave and smile at if you want to see your bags at the other end!" :-)
I have to say though that I was bitterly disappointed though when I left Heathrow yesterday on my flight and there was no Royal Regiment of Wales band and a Goat for my departure....!
(And I got to meet Willie Walsh, who was a really nice chap. Though I've since found that even mentioning him at Check In doesn't help with the upgrade...)
All of you - keep up the great work!
This is one charity which makes so much of a difference - 7 Paraolympians were there and they all said that without Dreamflight they wouldn't have pushed themselves to do what they are doing - please donate if you've not done already as I have never seen so many smiling kids in one place with everything that life's thrown at them so far forgotten. Truly life-changing.
The number of BA staff (and others) who give up their time free to help was staggering, from loaders, to pilots (or the Three Musketeers as they were dressed up as!), hosties, ground crew, red caps etc etc - the bit that made me laugh the most was as we pulled in in our coach the baggage handlers stopped and started waving at us. One of the hosties with us turned around to the kids and said "that are the lot you really want to wave and smile at if you want to see your bags at the other end!" :-)
I have to say though that I was bitterly disappointed though when I left Heathrow yesterday on my flight and there was no Royal Regiment of Wales band and a Goat for my departure....!
(And I got to meet Willie Walsh, who was a really nice chap. Though I've since found that even mentioning him at Check In doesn't help with the upgrade...)
All of you - keep up the great work!
Oct 26, 2008, 6:38 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Hi.im new to this so please bear with me.Im the mum of an 11 year old boy that was chosen to go on his Dreamflight this year.I would just like to say that what they do for these kids is fantastic.Kyle has phoned me a few times and, though he started his holiday sick, as the days went on i could hear the change in his voice going from nervous to very excited to be telling me what they were up to!This charity, and the helpers and volunteers, deserve medals for what they are doing.I would love to have taken Kyle to Orlando but i could never have afforded it. We were delighted he was able to go this year as next year, due to his conditions, he will be too sick to go.Please help Dreamflight in any way you can because i can vouch for them that this is really worth while for these children.Sorry i waffled on but thank you all.
Oct 27, 2008, 2:24 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
Welcome, kylesmum.
If anybody needed persuasion as to whether to help, your post must have removed any doubt. Congratulations to Dolly, her helpers, BA crews and those who donated to something so worthwhile.
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes knowing that Kyle had a great time thanks to those who helped. I'm sure we wish Kyle the best for his uncertain future, and the other participants too.
If anybody needed persuasion as to whether to help, your post must have removed any doubt. Congratulations to Dolly, her helpers, BA crews and those who donated to something so worthwhile.
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes knowing that Kyle had a great time thanks to those who helped. I'm sure we wish Kyle the best for his uncertain future, and the other participants too.
Oct 29, 2008, 9:23 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Hi.the kids all returned yesterday.Tired but delighted.Kyle was asked if he would go back and he said definately!!This from a boy that was terrified of flying and missing home at the start of the holiday.The helpers were fantastic, the kids couldnt have had a better time.His words were, mummy i forgot i was sick because i didnt have to go to any hospitals or doctors, when im bigger i want to be a helper!!They were treated like stars, from the party in London on the first night, to the Sheriffs guard and escort they got in Orlando.A fantastic charity and fantastic people connected to it.
Oct 29, 2008, 4:19 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 103
Wow, what a fantastic post kylesmum. I am so pleased that Dreamflight made such an impact on Kyle. It means that what we are trying to do is working. We got home yesterday and I am still on that Dreamflight 'high'. The kids had such a brilliant time, and so did the older kids (helpers!)
When I asked one of our boys if he had enjoyed his holiday, he turned to me and said that it had been the best time of his entire life. This from a boy who has been to Hell and back and would hardly speak a word last week when we left. He hugged me and told me that he would never forget his time in Orlando. I will never forget him, or any of the gorgeous kids I have had the privilege to look after on the Dreamflight trips I have been part of. Long may it continue, these kids deserve the very best that we can give them.
Thank you all again for your support, this couldn't happen without you. And on a slightly cheekier note, I need to find a corporate sponsor or some big publicity for Dreamflight. The future of this amazing charity is in jeopardy with the rising costs of ...well...everything really. We need a big boost into the coffers to guarantee the future of Dreamflight. If anyone has any experience of how to go about this, or indeed can help financially then please, please get in touch. I couldn't bear to see this all come to an end because of a lack of money.
Thank you again for everything.
When I asked one of our boys if he had enjoyed his holiday, he turned to me and said that it had been the best time of his entire life. This from a boy who has been to Hell and back and would hardly speak a word last week when we left. He hugged me and told me that he would never forget his time in Orlando. I will never forget him, or any of the gorgeous kids I have had the privilege to look after on the Dreamflight trips I have been part of. Long may it continue, these kids deserve the very best that we can give them.
Thank you all again for your support, this couldn't happen without you. And on a slightly cheekier note, I need to find a corporate sponsor or some big publicity for Dreamflight. The future of this amazing charity is in jeopardy with the rising costs of ...well...everything really. We need a big boost into the coffers to guarantee the future of Dreamflight. If anyone has any experience of how to go about this, or indeed can help financially then please, please get in touch. I couldn't bear to see this all come to an end because of a lack of money.
Thank you again for everything.
Oct 29, 2008, 4:47 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth
Programs: Proud owner of 3 Mucci's (yes, 3!) the latest being Chevaliere des Bains Chauds, BA Silver (6 yrs)
Posts: 10,985
So glad to hear that all went well with the Dreamflight trip and a huge well done to all involved. You're all stars and deserve a massive thank you for being so giving in so many ways. ^^^
Welcome to FT kylesmum - I think you've probably summed up best how beneficial this trip is to all those who need it most. So glad it's made such a difference to Kyle. I'm sure it has to all the other children who went to. May their progress continue
Debs - I really, really hope you find a corporate sponsor. I'm sure there'll be FTers out there who'll be able to point you in the right direction on this. However, it might be worth contacting some famous people who'd perhaps be in a position to help promote the cause for you. Others may laugh, but I believe Simon Cowell is a strong supporter of charities such as these and I think he's one you should contact - probably through SonyBMG.
Perhaps you could also contact the Orlando Sentinel as I'm sure there would be organisations within the Orlando area who'd be keen to provide sponsorship for this and the Sentinel may be able to do a story on all that Dreamflight does.
Please PM me if you feel I can help in any way.
xx
Welcome to FT kylesmum - I think you've probably summed up best how beneficial this trip is to all those who need it most. So glad it's made such a difference to Kyle. I'm sure it has to all the other children who went to. May their progress continue
Debs - I really, really hope you find a corporate sponsor. I'm sure there'll be FTers out there who'll be able to point you in the right direction on this. However, it might be worth contacting some famous people who'd perhaps be in a position to help promote the cause for you. Others may laugh, but I believe Simon Cowell is a strong supporter of charities such as these and I think he's one you should contact - probably through SonyBMG.
Perhaps you could also contact the Orlando Sentinel as I'm sure there would be organisations within the Orlando area who'd be keen to provide sponsorship for this and the Sentinel may be able to do a story on all that Dreamflight does.
Please PM me if you feel I can help in any way.
xx
Oct 31, 2008, 8:45 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
A painless way to contribute
The Dreamflight newsletter shows different ways to contribute. One is an e-shopping mall, where a percentage of purchases is donated to Dreamflight.
Go to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ and register as a user, selecting Dreamflight as the beneficiary.
'Choose from over 600 of the UK's best-known retailers including many popular names such as Next, Argos, Debenhams, John Lewis and HMV, and when you shop using the links on our site up to 15% from every purchase you make is donated to the cause you choose to nominate.'
In Travel, 2% of bmi bookings goes to Dreamflight, and 2.5% with Hilton. BA is also listed, curiously offering 0%, though their support is of course given elsewhere.
Of course, you could also use Quidco or similar and donate the savings.
Go to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ and register as a user, selecting Dreamflight as the beneficiary.
'Choose from over 600 of the UK's best-known retailers including many popular names such as Next, Argos, Debenhams, John Lewis and HMV, and when you shop using the links on our site up to 15% from every purchase you make is donated to the cause you choose to nominate.'
In Travel, 2% of bmi bookings goes to Dreamflight, and 2.5% with Hilton. BA is also listed, curiously offering 0%, though their support is of course given elsewhere.
Of course, you could also use Quidco or similar and donate the savings.