To mark 30 years of creating amazing experiences for more than 5,500 deserving children, social enterprise BH Live has joined forces with Dreamflight to support its anniversary celebrations.
Various events are taking place around the country and the South West has been dubbed the ‘Peter Pan region’.
Regional volunteer and fundraiser Sian Jenkins used this theme to create a very special day for 30 local children between the ages of 8 and 14 who are currently, or have been very ill, or are living with a serious disability.
On Saturday 18 June 2016, the children, along with a team of dedicated supporters, will be taking to the skies, just like Peter Pan, by experiencing a ‘flight’ on the UK’s only pier to beach zip wire supported by Rock Reef.
They will then head up to Bournemouth International Centre for a celebratory tea party, supported by BH Live, and there will be a special visit from children’s entertainer Mr. Merlin and Okey Dokey the Dragon.
Sian explains what this day is all about and what it means to all those who take part.
“I have been involved with Dreamflight for twelve years and have experienced and witnessed first-hand how Dreamflight inspires and changes children’s lives. Each trip is a humbling experience for the volunteers and memory making for children and their families. Today is about celebrating the good work that fund raisers and volunteers do to make the trip happen. It’s a great opportunity for children, young people, parents, carers and volunteers to come together, catch up and reignite old friendships, make new ones and of course, celebrate 30 years of Dreamflight.”
To support the 30 anniversary celebrations further, BH Live has also donated four tickets to see the Sound of Music at Bournemouth Pavilion later this summer.
Pat Coyne, BH Live director of venues on behalf of Bournemouth International Centre adds,
“We are delighted to support Dreamflight on their very special anniversary celebration which will mean so much to the children and their families. We hope they all have a truly magical day.”
To find out more about Dreamflight visit dreamflight.org.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Photo-caption: Children meeting their Disney heroes on Dreamflight’s 2015 trip to WaltDisneyWorld.
About Dreamflight
Dreamflight is a UK charity that changes young lives through taking children with a serious illness or disability, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida. Established in 1987 and operating annually since, Dreamflight believes that fun and joy are just as important as medical research and equipment – especially for children who perhaps can’t wait long enough for the breakthrough they need or whose illnesses and treatments have brought pain, distress and disruption to their lives.
Each year, Dreamflight takes 192 UK children aged 8-14 with a serious illness or disability on the holiday of a lifetime to the theme parks of Orlando, Florida. They take a dedicated team of volunteers with them (many from medical professions) and the children leave their families behind, for 10 days of fun and excitement. During the trip the children open up as they discover confidence, independence and a new outlook on life – it really is a life changing experience for them.
This year will be the 30th trip to Orlando, and the Charity will have helped over 5,500 children. To mark the occasion, Dreamflight is hosting various events around the country to celebrate this fantastic anniversary.
• Donald Duck region: Monopoly challenge in Edinburgh, followed by a tea party.
• Goofy region: Cycling landmark challenge, followed by a tea party.
• Marvels region: Landmark challenge in Glasgow.
• Mickey Mouse region: Scavenger hunt in Brighton, followed by a birthday picnic.
• Peter Pan region: Zip wires at Bournemouth Pier, followed by a tea party.
• Scooby Doo region: Landmark challenge in Belfast, followed by a tea party.
• Simpsons region: Skydives at Beccles Airfield, followed by a tea party.
• Tigger region: Landmark challenge in Newcastle.
• Pooh Bear region: Pooh-opoly challenge in London, followed by a picnic.
Dreamflight Office: Dreamflight, 15 Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PX
Telephone: +44 (0)1494 722733 Fax: +44 (0)1494 722977
Email: office@dreamflight.org. Website: www.dreamflight.org
Registered Charity No’s: 1117303/SC044892. Registered office as above.
About BH Live
Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.
BH Live is the South Coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues – a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With nearly three million visits a year and £35 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives and is at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2014/15, BH Live hosted more than 400 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 2.2 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 93,000 conference and exhibition delegates. An estimated £48.5 million was also generated for the local economy.
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For more information about BH Live or Bournemouth International Centre please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk