The excitement at Heathrow was clear as the kids posed for pictures with Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright (Picture: PA)
Almost 200 seriously ill or disabled children headed off for the trip of a lifetime – with Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright waving them off.
The famous couple, who wed in 2015, greeted the lucky children at Heathrow Airport as they went on a charity-funded holiday to Orlando, Florida.
Multi-millionaires Mark and Michelle both 36, joined the youngsters for a going away party, although they themselves don’t get to head to Disneyland.
The children, many of whom have never been abroad before, will fly to the US to ride rollercoaster rides, swim with dolphins and meet their favourite Disney characters.
Coronation Street actress, Michelle, and her TOWIE star husband waved them off at a special party featuring a live band, fire engines, and police dogs.
UK charity Dreamflight organised the adventure, which left on Sunday morning with Michelle and Mark calling it an ‘incredible experience’.
The couple made sure to chat to the children, many of whom have never flown before (Picture: PA)
Mark joked with the kids as they got ready to board the flight (Picture: PA)
‘It was great to be part of the special party hosted in one of British Airways’ hangars,’ the couple shared.
For the lucky 191 children, a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios, and waterpark Typhoon Lagoon are all in story before they return on October 24.
They added: ‘The atmosphere was brilliant and it was amazing to meet the children and see how excited they were before they took to the skies for Orlando.’
Swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove is set to be the highlight of the trip for many.
Michelle helped calm any nervous fliers (Picture: PA)
The pair called the experience ‘incredible’ (Picture: PA)
Harper Lythgoe, nine, from Newcastle, said: ‘I’m really excited, I can’t believe I’m going to America, it’s a dream come true and I’ve never been on a plane before.
‘I can’t wait to swim with the dolphins.’
Tamara Stokes, 14, from Edinburgh, added: ‘I think the best day will be seeing the dolphins, it’s going to be so fun.’
Dreamflight has taken more than 6,000 children on the annual trip since 1987. This is the 35th holiday put on by the charity, costing over £1 million.
Patricia Pearce, who founded the charity, said: ‘Today is the day is when the trip starts to feel real for everyone.’
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So sweet!
