AN EXCITED group of 44 children set off for Eurodisney in Paris yesterday on a holiday organised by Cork City Hospital’s Children’s Club.
It is the 10th annual trip under the scheme, which caters for children who have either undergone a lengthy stay in hospital or otherwise experienced a trauma in life.
Among those travelling were Gavin and Millie McNamara from Limerick.
The brother and sister suffered serious injuries after flames from a petrol bomb engulfed them as they sat in their mother’s car in 2006.
Gavin was just four years old and Millie was six when the arson attack took place.
Others flying out yesterday were Alex (8) and Wojciech Jagla (13) from Kinsale, who lost their father Tomasz on January 11th, 2007, when the Honeydew II went down off Mine Head between Dungarvan and Ardmore.
Mr Jagla (32) as well as the boat’s skipper, Ger Bohan, died in the incident.
Mr Jagla was living in Kinsale with his wife Anita and the couple’s two children at the time of his death and was described as a popular member of the local community.
Wojciech said he and his sister were looking forward to spending a few days at Eurodisney. “It is the rollercoasters I am looking forward to really. We are up since 7am getting ready. I can’t wait.”
Ruairí Mensink (11) from Allihies in west Cork said he had been to Eurodisney once before when he was five, but was very excited about this trip.
“I was there when I was five, but I was too short to go on the rides at the time. It is going to be great.”
Ruairí was diagnosed with diabetes when he was five and has been in hospital many times for his illness. His mother Barbara Nolan said his condition has turned out to be manageable.
She said he had received amazing care at Cork University Hospital.
Yesterday’s trip to Eurodisney was organised thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club and the Kinsale and District Lion’s Club.
“We’re delighted that this event is expanding to include more children than in previous years,” said deputy chairman John Looney.
“Our Cork City Hospital Children’s Club volunteers will accompany the children to France.”
The children’s club has 40 official volunteers. The children selected to go on these trips are nominated by staff at Cork University Hospital and other hospitals.
Donations to the Cork City Hospital’s Children’s Club are accepted via the Bank of Ireland branch in Wilton, Cork, account number 3465 3800.