And Breathe Travel, a Wigan-based independent travel agency, has organised a dream trip to Florida for a two-year-old brain cancer survivor Finley Robson.
Finley was diagnosed with ATRT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour) at just 13-months-old, enduring two brain surgeries, high-dose chemotherapy, feeding tubes, injections and blood transfusions before recently ringing the end-of-treatment bell.
And Breathe Travel Travel Consultant Ashlea Allardyce lives next door to Finley’s grandmother and learned of the family’s wish for a holiday after Finley’s mother Melinda Garratt posted on social media appealing for donations.
The agency’s Founder Lorraine Donnelly told Travel Gossip she knew she had to step in once she about Finley’s battle with cancer, saying: “The family has never been away together. Finley has been ill practically since birth and required constant visits to the doctors. We knew we could help, as we have so many connections in the industry.”
The breakthrough came during an unrelated call to Ocean Florida about another customer’s booking when Lorraine mentioned Finley’s story and the tour operator offered to significantly reduce the cost of a package, she said.
“Ocean Florida has literally been fantastic, and I know Finley’s mum is so grateful,” Lorraine added.
The package includes direct Virgin Atlantic flights from Manchester, nine nights at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and five nights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, plus £1,000 of complimentary extras include fast passes, personal transfers and airport lounges to make travelling as smooth as possible for the family.
Lorraine said: “The package Ocean Florida helped us with couldn’t be more perfect as Finley loves animals and he will be surrounded by them at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They’ve really gone above and beyond.”
However, the holiday – which is planned for the end of 2027 or early 2028 – isn’t quite over the line as the family needs to raise around £5,000 to cover additional costs, such as Finley’s travel insurance and medical equipment.
Lorraine added: “We hope they get the final donations they need.”
Anyone wishing to support Finley’s fundraiser can donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/melindagarratt
