Poorly Liverpool boy returns from dream holiday

HARVEY Early, who is 16 years old and comes from Liverpool, has just returned home after a once in a lifetime trip to Disney World, in Florida, USA.  Thanks to fundraising support from Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, Harvey, who has Dravet Syndrome, visited Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios and Seaworld. Harvey was accompanied on the trip by his parents Alison and Paul. Caudwell Children created the annual 'Destination Dreams' holiday in 2007 to give 25 children with life limiting conditions the opportunity to experience a fully supported dream holiday. Trudi Beswick Chief Executive of Caudwell Children, said:- "For many families caring for children with terminal or life threatening conditions, the thought of leaving the protected environment of their home Town, and their regular medical support, fills them with dread. By providing 24 hour professional medical provision and a team of volunteers, for the duration of the trip, Destination Dreams gives families the chance to create happy holiday memories, often for the first time! I would ask the local community to support us so that we can take more children, like Harvey, on the trip in 2016."

Carolling for a good cause

NSPCC Carols by Candlelight Concert to support Merseyside children. Tickets are still available for the NSPCC's annual:- 'Carols by Candlelight Concert', on Tuesday, 15 December 2015, to raise vital funds for the charity's:- 'Call for Help Appeal.'

Taking place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, from 7:30pm, the concert will feature performances from children and young people in the Wirral Schools Concert Band, the Liverpool Signing Choir and Circle of Voices Gospel Choir, who will delight those in attendance with carols, traditional music and singing in the stunning candlelit setting of the cathedral.

Tickets for the event, which is being sponsored for the 9th year running by Merseyside based retailer Home Bargains, are available now priced at £10 per adult, and £5 for concessions. Family tickets are also available, at £25 for 2 adults and 2 children.

Tom Morris, managing director at Home Bargains, said:- "We're thrilled to be supporting Carols by Candlelight for the ninth year running and are proud to support the incredible work that the NSPCC does every single day. As a Merseyside based family run company, our heart is still very much in Liverpool and we're extremely passionate about supporting causes such as this one to help local people. The charity's ChildLine Service, which proceeds from this evening will go towards, acts as a lifeline to children who have nowhere else to turn."

Daniel Poole, NSPCC community fundraising manager for Liverpool, said:- "For most children, Christmas is magical, but for others, it's a time when they feel more alone than ever; when they're struggling to cope with being neglected, bullied or abused. Carols by Candlelight is not only a beautiful Christmas celebration, it's also the perfect way to support our Christmas Appeal, Call for Help, to ensure our ChildLine service is able to offer support and hope to the thousands of children who will get in touch this Christmas and in the year ahead."

To book tickets for the Carols by Candlelight concert, please contact the NSPCC fundraising team on:- 0161 393 4474 or send them an email.