Charlie's Flamingo Land Adventure

Nine-year-old Charlie, from Wallasey, Merseyside, is a bright, animal-loving boy with a true zest for life. His loyal therapy dog, Peggy, never leaves his side and has even been trained to understand sign language. Charlie’s mum says his personality shines through everywhere he goes — he’s well loved at school, in his community, and, she adds, “an inspiration to his Dad and me. We are so very proud.” 

Charlie has Cerebral Palsy, uses a wheelchair, and can experience seizures. While he is eager to experience everything a typical nine-year-old enjoys, his condition can limit the activities he can take part in. This not only affects Charlie, but also makes it harder for his whole family to create and share special memories together. 

However, one of Charlie’s biggest loves is rollercoasters. When he and his family dreamed of a UK holiday they turned to Dreams Come True, and we were thrilled to arrange a magical short break to Flamingo Land, Yorkshire — the perfect choice with its exciting theme park rides, award-winning zoo, and pet-friendly accommodation, meaning Peggy could join them too. 

Charlie, his mum, dad, and younger sister Evie arrived full of excitement. The family were delighted with the excellent accessibility and, as they were able to visit during the week, it felt calm and relaxed. Charlie adored the zoo and farm, enjoyed the well-managed swimming pool with its quiet time slots, and in the evenings the family laughed and played games together in their caravan.

By supporting us during our #25by25 campaign in honour of World Dream Day (and beyond), you're helping us grant even more Dreams for children just like Charlie. Whether that is a specially adapted trike for a child with cerebral palsy, a tablet to help an autistic teenager develop their communication skills, or a seriously ill child’s room makeover. 

Thank you to our #DreamTeam, we have been able to help create magical memories for Charlie and his family. Reflecting on their holiday, Charlie’s mum said: 

Spending time together as a family, enjoying something truly positive, is a rare gift for us. We could not have afforded this break without your generosity, and it was so heart warming to see both children having so much fun together. When we queued for one of the big rides, Evie encouraged Charlie when he felt nervous — it gave him the courage to try another ride that Evie herself wouldn’t! We have made wonderful memories at Flamingo Land and have been talking about it ever since.

Please consider donating, so we can continue to make even more Dreams come true, and become a #DreamMaker today.

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