"Wish children" to travel to Kids Village in Florida

Through the international association Give Kids the World-Europe/Middle East/Africa (GKTW-EMEA), children with a life-threatening or terminal illness from indigent families from Europe, the Middle East and Africa are given the opportunity to visit the attraction parks in central Florida, USA, or Disneyland Resort, Paris.

Give Kids the World Village ("Kids Village") is a non-profit resort near Orlando, Florida that welcomes these wish families and offers accommodation, meals and attraction tickets for a week-long cost-free holiday.

Disneyland Resort Paris welcomes these children who are physically unable to travel to the US or who prefer going to Paris. They can enjoy a stay of three days/two nights at one of the resort hotels at the park.

Sandra Chetcuti, personal assistant to the Crowne Plaza Malta general manager, made a New Year's wish to raise funds to send at least two children to the destination of their choice. A campaign was launched to corporate companies and other associations which was met with an overwhelming response and generosity.

Arrangements for the two Maltese children and their immediate families are presently being made for them to travel to the Kids Village in Kissimmee, Florida.

In 1999 and 2001, two other children were nominated, namely Margaret and Marvin Lee, who travelled to Kids Village and Disneyland Resort Paris, respectively. Their families were grateful for bringing their terminally ill children's last wish come true which brought them extreme happiness during the last few days of their lives.

"Each time a wish is granted, it brings hope, laughter and joy back to the lives of these people", Pascale Somers, executive director of Give Kids the World-EMEA, said. "This holiday provides everlasting, precious memories of a happy time together, far away from hospitals and treatments."

The Give Kids the World organisation is anticipating that they will grant over 60 wishes this year.

For more information, contact Sandra Chetcuti at the Crowne Plaza in Sliema on (tel: 2341-1601/2; www.gktw-emea.org.

Donations would be gratefully received and can be transferred to Give Kids the World Malta bank account: Bank of Valletta (14813986022). Alternatively, donations can be made by sending a cheque payable to "Give Kids the World" to Ms Sandra Chetcuti, Crowne Plaza Malta, Tigné Street, Sliema SLM 11.