Charity grants wish to young man for holiday in ‘paradise’

The 17-year-old, from Mount in Huddersfield, was just one year old when he was diagnosed with a type of major brain tumour called optic glioma.

As a result, Jamie is now visually impaired and in order to fight the disease has had to undergo a huge amount of treatment and endure endless visits to Leeds General Infirmary, where he continued to be treated.

Despite the difficulties he faces, Jamie’s mother Debbie describes her son as a “kind, sensitive and caring young man who always puts others before himself and just gets on with whatever life throws at him.”

Jamie was recently granted his wish for a family holiday by Starlight Children’s Foundation, a wish granting charity for children with serious and terminal illnesses.

When he was referred to Starlight, Jamie told the charity: “I have chosen my wish because I would love to have a holiday of a lifetime in paradise.

“I would like to swim in the sea and maybe try scuba diving and experience thrilling things that I could not do in ordinary life.”

One of Starlight’s corporate supporters, The Dovetail Agency, which is a public relations and marketing agency that specialises in travel, offered to help and put Starlight in touch with the team at a luxury resort in the Maldives, Coco Palm Bodu Hithi.

Jamie, his parents Debbie and Mark, and his sister Abbie flew to Male International Airport, where they were picked up and taken by speedboat to a villa on the beach.

The family were able to snorkel every day and Jamie was able to try scuba diving.

The family enjoyed walks on the palm fringed beaches, sampled fresh lobster and octopus and relaxed in the resort’s luxury spa.

After the wish, Jamie’s mum Debbie said, “How can we thank Starlight enough? We had an amazing time.

“The island was truly paradise and the whole holiday from start to finish was perfect. It was like no holiday we have ever or will ever have again. I often found myself with tears in my eyes as I couldn’t quite believe we were in paradise.”