Stockport Firefighters help make lapland wishes come true

A YEAR of fundraising came to a magical conclusion for Stockport firefighters when they got to wave off a group of children as they flew out to spend a day in Lapland.

Crews members from Stockport stations spend countless hours each year raising money for ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ and culminates with those involved seeing their efforts come to fruition with the annual trip.

They always go and wave the youngsters off – but this year was extra special as one of the firefighters,
Kev Downey, was offered the opportunity to go along on the trip to support the group.

Kev said: “If we are going to raise any money, we do it for Wish Upon a Star and that goes towards taking them to Lapland.

“We normally go to the airport and wave them off with the Corrie stars and all sorts of other people – but this time I got invited to go with them as a helper and it was brilliant!”

At 5am on Wednesday morning, 102 children arrived at Manchester Airport to the beautiful voices of the airport’s very own choir.

Kev Downey was joined by Huw Crosby, also from Stockport Fire Station, and Simon Harrison and Steve Wood, from Whitehill Fire Station, Community Safety Advisor Wendy Hall and GMFRS Mascot Cracker – all there to wave Kev and the children off.

Wendy said: “The atmosphere created for the children is amazing and really sets them up for a most magical day.”

The children were greeted and personally welcomed aboard by pilot Captain Kirk and flown off to a chilly Rovaniemi, where the temperatures dipped to -19C.

A packed day included a visit to the Enchanted Forest and a visit to Santa.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Kev. “And its thanks to firefighters such as those who were there to wave the children off and others like Dave Cracknell and Ian Mackintosh who were involved in the fundraising that we were able to contribute to this.”

When You Wish Upon A Star is a small charity and the primary aim is to grant the wishes of children suffering from life threatening illnesses. Since they started in 1990, they have granted more than 14,500 Wishes for some very brave and courageous children and their families.

For more information about the charity, please go to http://www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk/.