Dream day as charity answers call of the wild

Last weekend Ryan got to act out his favourite Disney film Snow Dogs thanks to the charity Dreams Come True. Ten-year-old Ryan, his mother Nikki, father Jacob and his brother and four sisters travelled to Aviemore where Ryan got up close to his favourite husky dogs.

Despite being unable to see the dogs because he recently lost his sight, Ryan was able to feel and smell the dogs and even rode on a sledge pulled by a husky.

Ryan suffers a rare condition called Batten Disease, a fatal genetic neurodegenerative illness where the body doesn't dispose of toxins correctly.

Over time the toxins build up around the base of the brain, causing epilepsy, loss of speech, vision and movement. At present there is no cure. There are less than 60 children diagnosed with the illness in this country.

Ryan was diagnosed at the age of six – they day after his sister Nia was born.

"It was such a mixture of emotions," says his father, Jacob. "Tests had shown that he may not have Batten's, which really lifted our hopes, but then the day after Nia was born the doctors confirmed that he did in fact have Batten Disease. It was the most horrible day and following so quickly after the birth of Nia."

Despite the devastating diagnosis four years ago the Loynes, devout Christians, have come to terms with their son's illness and work hard to minimise the impact on Ryan's siblings.

"We work very hard to make sure that Ryan's brother and sisters don't feel left out and that is why we all went to Aviemore as a family, we don't want Ryan to be singled out for any special treatment. We were offered the chance to take Ryan to Alaska to see the huskies, but we wouldn't have been able to take the entire family."

Dreams Come True arranged for Ryan and his family to spend two days at the Aviemore Sled Dog Rally at the weekend. The event is the biggest of its kind in the UK with more than 200 teams of dogs from all over the country. Along with Siberian huskies, rally dogs include Greenland dogs and Canadian Eskimo dogs. For the first time since 1995, the four-mile course was covered in snow with Arctic conditions.

"Ryan's behaviour can sometimes be challenging and sometimes he doesn't react in the way you think he will," continued his father. "He liked meeting the huskies but all he wanted to do was smell tripe because that's what they eat in the Snow Dogs. But when he went out on the sled his whole face lit up. This has been a magical experience far beyond our greatest expectations and our heartfelt thanks go to Dreams Come True."

Ryan lives with his family in Stanningley, Pudsey, Leeds. He attends mainstream school but next year will move into a special school.

"He would have been moving up to secondary school anyway, but it will mean that he will have to make a whole new lot of friends, but he doesn't seem to have any problems making friends," says Jacob, who also has Lauren 12, Faith, four, Nia, three, Eden 18 months and eight-week-old Jack.

Martin Plowman, dreams manager at Dreams Come True, says: "Thanks to the Arden Grange and Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain and our charity supporters, we have managed to arrange a fabulous trip for Ryan. The Aviemore Sled Dog Rally has grown to be the biggest of its kind in the country and will have been a thrilling experience for Ryan. It will have brightened his life and provided some wonderful memories for both him and his family to treasure."

Dreams Come True is a national charity bringing joy to children who are seriously or terminally-ill. The charity has brought joy to almost 4,500 children over 20 years.

GOLFER'S MONEY MAKES SUNSHINE WISHES COME TRUE

A charity golf day in Leeds which raised 10,000 for children's charity Rays of Sunshine, has granted six wishes to children with serious or terminal illnesses.

The charity is supported by diabetes sufferer Alice Halstead of Ilkley, who has a rare form of extreme diabetes which forces her to live in hospital.

Children to benefit were:

Marcus, 12, living with dilated cardiomyopathy (post heart transplant.) Marcus's wish is to meet an animator. The cost of Marcus's wish is 1,250.

Stephanie, 18, is living with Ewing's Sarcoma. Her wish is to have a weekend break at a five-star hotel. The cost is 2,500.

Kai,10, is living with combined immune deficiency and Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Kai's wish is to have his very own laptop. His wish costs 750.

Katie, 14, is living with Cystic Fibrosis. Katie's wish is to go on a shopping spree. The cost of Katie's wish is 750.

Charlotte, 10, is living with severe combined immune deficiency. Her wish is to be a chef for the day. The cost is 1,250

Coral,17, was born with a congenital heart defect and has had a heart transplant. Her wish is to swim with dolphins. The cost of her wish is 3,500.

On Saturday, March 27, Alice is organising a Sunshine Ball to raise money for Rays of Sunshine at The Queens Hotel, Leeds at 7pm. To date, the award-winning fundraiser has raised more than 12,000 and she has recently been shortlisted for Just Giving's Inspirational Achievement Award night in February.

For more information or to make a donation email [email protected] or visit her website www.alicehalstead91.

moonfruit.com