Two young people from Northern Ireland have spoken about bonding together during a charity-funded holiday of a lifetime in Florida.
They were among 191 young people from around the UK, many of whom had never been abroad or been away from their families, who were flown on a free tip to Orlando by charity Dreamflight.
The young people were picked to join the holiday after living with serious illness, disability or trauma.
Children watch a dolphin during the Dreamflight visit to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. Pic: James Manning/PA Wire
On their visit to SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove, they got the chance to swim with dolphins, with some youngsters lifted from their wheelchairs and into the water to get close to them.
Among those on the “once-in-a-lifetime trip” was 12-year-old Annalise Cunningham-Nugent, from Belfast.
The girl spoke about the “amazing” holiday and described swimming with the aquatic mammals.
“The dolphin was a lot faster than I expected. It felt different, very spongy,” she said.
“It was impressive seeing them do tricks and movements. It was amazing getting to swim with them as well.
“The trip has been amazing, I’ve loved the whole thing. The rides have been so fun and the people I’ve got to meet have been very nice and kind.
“The best thing has been meeting everyone and getting to know people who have been through similar things and getting to talk to them about that.”
Annalise Cunningham-Nugent (12), from Belfast, speaks to the media after swimming with dolphins during the Dreamflight visit to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida
Meanwhile, Christy Brennan (14), from Larne, said it was “cool to make new friends”.
“We glided with the dolphins, did hand signals with them, and had a kiss and hug from one of them,” he said.
“On this trip we’ve been to lots of water parks and gone on lots of water rides and swam.
“I’ve also had lots of gifts and we went to parties.
“With people the same age you can have lots of fun.”
Christy Brennan (14), from Larne, speaks to the media after swimming with dolphins during the Dreamflight visit to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida
Ayla Dannatt (12), from Portsmouth, said: “I feel like swimming with a dolphin is such a rare opportunity.
“Gliding with it was like riding a bike without pedals.
“It was definitely the highlight of the trip.”
Emily Bingham (12), from Dereham, Norfolk, added: “I’ve done so much on this trip and I’ve been on loads of roller coasters.
“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.
“I feel like I really belong. There are other people on this trip who are disabled, so it’s been great meeting them and talking to them.”
Children with a dolphin during the Dreamflight visit to Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. Pic: James Manning/PA Wire
Meanwhile, Logan Pipe-Edwards (14), from Waterlooville, Hampshire, said: “One of the dolphins came to the shallow bit and I got to rub him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
“It was so fun, sort of like touching a beach ball.
“I feel really happy that I got in there and did it.”
The children were also taken to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios.
Dreamflight has taken more than 6,500 children on the annual trip since 1987.
The trip cost more than £1m.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas waved the children off as they departed from Heathrow Airport last weekend.