Barton Wyatt’s Jo gets ready to take 192 deserving children on their charity ‘Dreamflight’
Jo Parris, the Lettings Manager at award-winning Surrey estate agency, Barton Wyatt is revving up for her trip to America with the charity Dreamflight.
Once a year, 192 deserving sick and disabled children from all over the UK, accompanied by a team of carers, jet off to Florida on a ten day life-changing holiday filled with fun and excitement at the theme parts of Orlando.
· 40 Days to lift off – Dreamflight departs on October 20th
The team of carers include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and non-medical escorts such as Jo who are there to help care for the children’s needs 24 hours a day whilst they are away.
Jo attended a meeting on Saturday 7th September 2013 where she received a full briefing for the trip together with the other volunteer escorts. Paperwork was checked, uniform issued and detailed procedures were explained together with lots of useful advice.
Jo commented:
“This trip will be amazing fun for the children who are lucky enough to be going, but there is a serious side to a Dreamflight holiday. Many of the children have never been away from home or their parents before and they gain a degree of independence not previously thought possible. Self esteem grows as they are encouraged to join in the many events and activities.’
Once the formal briefing was over the ‘Pooh Bear’ group, for which Jo is a team member, met the most important people of all – the ‘little Pooh Bears’ and their families. Jo continues,
“The Mums and Dads of these children are rightly more concerned than anyone – it was wonderful to meet them and hopefully allay any of their concerns.”
The Dreamflight escorts are all colour co-ordinated, for example the doctors wear green polo shirts and the Pooh Bear group wear purple. Matching T-shirts for the children have been donated and Jo Parris is thrilled that Barton Wyatt has supported this worthy cause with T-shirts for the Pooh Bear group.
Formed in 1987 the charity is funded by donations and fundraising, There’s more information on the official website at www.dreamflight.org or contact Jo Parris on 01344 843000.