Sir Cliff Richard is a patron and long-standing supporter of Dreamflight and has often waved goodbye – in person – as the trip leaves for Florida. Here he explains what that means to him...

”If anyone has any doubts about the value and impact of Dreamflight on the lives of sick children, they should watch the faces of youngsters boarding a BA 747 for their Holiday of a Lifetime to Florida. For many years now I've been privileged to join the farewell party in a huge Heathrow hangar just prior to the October boarding and departure. I tell you it would take the stoniest of hearts not to be profoundly moved.

192 children, some attached to oxygen tubes, some showing the effects of chemotherapy, some with major co-ordination problems, amazingly find the courage to smile and seemingly forget for a while their sicknesses and disabilities.

As they walk or are carried or wheeled by their carers to the aircraft behind the band of the Royal Welsh Regiment, I'm always humbled by their courage and inspired by the selflessness and compassion of the volunteers and escorts who give up their leave to accompany these children. I've often said that I find involvement with a charity often brings me far more than I could ever offer. Unarguably, that's true of Dreamflight.”

Sir Cliff Richard