The annual holiday, organised by the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club, is the highlight of the year for many kids dealing with illness and disabilities.
![The Cork City Hospitals Children's Club group of children, parents, guardians, volunteers and the medical team with members of Cork Airport Charity committee. Picture: Denis Minihane.]()
The Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club group of children, parents, guardians, volunteers and the medical team with members of Cork Airport Charity committee.
Picture: Denis Minihane.
For the O’Leary’s from Ballinhassig, the trip marks their journey coming full circle after medical dramas late last year. Brothers Arron and Cian, who both have Cystic Fibrosis, made the trip in 2015 but Arron was too ill at the time to enjoy the experience. Having received a long-awaited double lung transplant in December, he is now thriving and excited about taking on all of the rides second time round.
John Looney, Chairman of the Cork City Hospital Children Club, preparing to depart on the trip to Disneyland Paris. Video by Denis Minihane. Evening Echo.
“I’ve been cycling up hills and I was going kayaking over the summer,” said Arron.
“I’ve been really looking forward to being able to enjoy this trip. I hope to go on everything this year because there were some rides that I missed.” Mum Caroline will be joining the boys, and praised the charity for their commitment to families. “You see all the sick kids beaming with happiness to be going away. It’s fabulous,” she said.
Little Izzy O’Connell from Youghal was also looking forward to boarding the plane.
![Arron O'Leary with his parents Paul and Caroline and his brother Cian, Ballinhassig, at Cork Airport as the Cork City Hospitals Children's Club group prepared to depart on the trip to Disneyland Paris. Picture: Denis Minihane.]()
Arron O’Leary with his parents Paul and Caroline and his brother Cian, Ballinhassig, at Cork Airport as the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club group prepared to depart on the trip to Disneyland Paris.
Picture: Denis Minihane.
The brave eight-year-old, who is currently undergoing clinical trials for her brain tumour at Great Ormond Street in London, was all smiles. “Four weeks ago we got the call that someone had pulled out because they weren’t well enough and we were asked if Izzy would be able to go,” dad Stephen said.
“Of course she jumped at the opportunity. Who wouldn’t? Since we got the call she hasn’t been talking about anything else.”
For 15-year-old Fintan Sheehan from Ballincollig, the trip is a well-deserved treat following his own recent battle with cancer.
He said: “I had a brain tumour about six months ago and it was a close call. They got it out in time. I’m feeling fantastic now. I was back Thai boxing a week after the surgery and am back in the gym and at athletics.”
