“My biggest regret is not getting involved sooner!”
Grant, 44, has been involved with Dreamflight for 10 years. He first supported the charity as British Airways crew on the Orlando trips, but quickly became a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser, returning to Orlando as a volunteer guide, and later joining the team on the UK trip to Calvert Devon.
Grant was initially hesitant to apply for the Orlando trip, but after years of hearing about Dreamflight from fellow BA crew, he finally submitted his application in 2017, a day before the deadline.
“I was nervous; I worried whether I would be good enough, and I thought you had to be medically trained. But there’s so much support on the trip; you get all the training you need, and you don’t need a medical background – you’re surrounded by volunteer doctors, nurses and physios. A colleague convinced me to apply just in time. And now, I’m a huge advocate for Dreamflight and my biggest regret is not getting involved sooner!
“Dreamflight is like a family”
Grant’s first trip to Orlando exceeded every expectation he had, and it introduced him to a community that instantly felt like family.
“It was 10 years ago, but it feels like it was yesterday. It was honestly bigger and better than I could ever expect it to be; it was incredible. Everyone talks about the buzz and the excitement you get from Dreamflight. It’s all true!”
“You walk around the dining hall in the morning and everyone’s chatting and laughing and it’s like a family. Everyone is special, and everyone is there for the same goal. We all want to make it as amazing as possible for the children. And we’ll do whatever is needed to get it right for them. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do.”
Over the years, Grant has also seen remarkable changes in the children he’s cared for on the trips. Two in particular stand out for him:
“I was looking after a boy one year. Before we left, he was really shy, quiet and not very confident. After the trip, his mum sent a video of him singing in a choir on stage for a competition, representing his area in Scotland. And it was incredible!”
“On another trip we looked after a little boy who had diabetes. Before the trip his mum said he really struggled with his insulin, keeping track of his blood, his sugars and things. There was another diabetic boy on the trip and they worked together and helped each other. Seeing someone else with the same condition really helped him. And when he came back, his mum said he changed; he took control and organised himself!”
“It’s a different destination, but it doesn’t matter; it’s just as rewarding”
After years of joining the team in Orlando, Grant was keen to experience another side of the charity’s work, closer to home. Each year, Dreamflight takes a small group of children aged between 8 and 16 on a four‑day outward‑bound style holiday to a fully accessible UK activity centre.
This particular holiday is designed for young people for whom the Orlando trip wouldn’t be the right fit; due to their age, medical needs or other reasons. It gives them the chance to experience the same sense of adventure, independence and belonging – just in a setting that works better for them.
This year, Grant volunteered as a guide on the UK trip to Calvert Devon, where he saw first‑hand just how powerful it can be for the children who take part, and for the volunteers too.
“It’s a different destination, but it doesn’t matter. It gave the exact same feeling as Orlando and it’s just as rewarding. I even had the same Dreamflight blues I get after the 10-day US trip!”
“The two boys I was looking after couldn’t go to Orlando, and actually, that trip wouldn’t have worked for them. But they had the most amazing time at Calvert Devon. Honestly, it was brilliant and it really showed me that Calvert is such a good option for the children that can’t go to Orlando.”
“The whole experience makes you a better person”
Dreamflight volunteers are encouraged to raise money before their trip, and this is something Grant has thrown himself into – from an Andes climb to zip-wiring in Hong Kongto running the Rio half marathon.
“I love fundraising and I’ve been able to do some incredible things! And I love how much support you get from everyone you speak to. There’s a lot of negativity in the world, and being involved with Dreamflight shows you how generous people are. It’s positivity the whole time, and it makes you feel really good. ”
“The whole experience makes you a better person. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. These children are going through so much, day in day out, and they get up every day and get on with it. It’s so inspiring. ”
“The trips are about the children, but its life changing for the adults too.”
