A terminally ill girl who last week won the right to refuse a heart transplant has been granted her final wish – to go to Disneyworld, Florida.
Hannah Jones from Marden near Hereford was told yesterday that a UK insurance company would cover her for travel to the USA as part of a charity’s trip to Disneyworld.
It had been feared that her dream had been crushed when attempts to secure medical insurance failed. But after a nationwide plea for help, a UK insurance company, which does not wish to be named, said it could provide cover.
Hannah will now join 40 children flying to Orlando with a team of paramedics and doctors from the charity Caudwell Children.
Hannah said: “I’m delighted, overwhelmed. With only a few weeks to go I feared I wasn’t going to be able to go on the holiday. The week away from our routine of doctors appointments and hospitals will be a wonderful distraction for me and my family.”
Her father Andrew said: “I can’t thank everyone who has offered to help enough. Amid all of the coverage over the past few days our main aim was to find someone who could insure our little girl for her dream holiday.”
Of the 40 seriously ill or disabled children on the trip, five were originally refused travel insurance. Four were eventually granted cover, but Hannah’s unique case excluded the majority of insurance companies. Just weeks before the trip, a UK insurance company agreed to help.
Caudwell Children’s Destination Dreams helps children fighting life-threatening illnesses to go on holiday. It provides a support network of doctors, paramedics, volunteers and charity staff, so families caring for disabled or seriously ill children can also enjoy a holiday.
Trudi Beswick, chief executive of Caudwell Children, said: “Following the appeal we were inundated with calls and we are thankful to everyone who has offered their support.
“We are overjoyed that we been able to grant this special wish. Without the support of the media and some kind individuals this would not be possible.”
A year-long campaign funded the trip and the charity is looking for financial support and applications for next year’s Destination Dreams trip. For more information visit www.caudwell
children.com
