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Spicerhaart's generosity: a Disneyland trip for a family in need

Dec 23, 2022

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The family of a courageous young child battling a rare disease expresses profound gratitude to charity leaders for facilitating a magical trip to Disneyland Paris, creating enduring memories.

Emily Mills, aged five, was among sixteen children and their families selected for the recent excursion orchestrated by Magic Moments, the dedicated charity affiliated with Spicerhaart, the UK's largest independent estate agency.

Magic Moments orchestrates regular trips to Disneyland for children facing life-limiting illnesses and their families, garnering over £1 million in donations since its inception in 1998. The December adventure marked the third trip organised in 2022, with nearly 200 individuals transported to France for an unforgettable experience.

Emily, diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy, embarked on the journey accompanied by her parents, Catherine and Gareth, and her older sister Rosie, residing in Peterborough.

Catherine, initially apprehensive about the trip despite accepting the invitation, extends heartfelt appreciation to the trustees of Magic Moments for curating a holiday of unparalleled significance. She reflects on the profound impact of the trip, forging enduring bonds and creating cherished moments as a family.

“Our family, solely down to Magic Moments, has made lifelong memories and bonded together beyond our wildest dreams,” she said. “We laughed, played, and actually became kids again and allowed ourselves to enjoy everything. Rosie saw her mum and dad be spontaneous for the first time since Emily was born. Emily got to ride the carousel as many times as she wanted because she loves horses. Rosie got to be a kid in a magical kingdom, without a care in the world which is something I will treasure forever. This is a gift that goes way beyond a holiday to Disney. It is a gift that brought us back together as a family, united us, and allowed us to be us again for which we are eternally grateful.”

Emma Barber, Chair of Magic Moments, echoes Catherine's sentiments, emphasising the charity's commitment to creating transformative experiences for families facing adversity "The experience Emily and her family had is exactly what Magic Moments strives to achieve on these trips. Feedback like this makes all the time and effort everyone puts in well worth it. Thank you to everyone at Spicerhaart who has raised money and supported Magic Moments especially in such difficult economic times, your efforts and donations ensure we can continue to provide these trips."