Almost 200 seriously ill and disabled children have been taken on a one-in-a-lifetime holiday to Florida thanks to charity which creates magic moments.

The 36th Dreamflight jetted off a group of youngsters to one of the world's most sought after destinations for a ten-day trip they will never forget.

For some of the young travellers it was the first time they have been to an airport, let alone take to the skies.

The kids were accompanied by 200 volunteers from the UK and USA who took them to theme parks and other popular attractions.

It wasn’t just the thrill of roller coasters and meeting Mickey Mouse, as Ryan from London told ITV News holidays such as these helped build his confidence.

“For example, I've met people who could be taking the same medication as me, and that is easier to be able to share experiences,” he explained.

Liz Johnson, who won gold for Team GB at the Paralympic swimming, is now a patron for the charity after she boarded a Dreamflight at the age of eleven.

She joined the team for their recent flight for the eleventh time, realising how the holidays can make a huge difference to young people’s lives.

"If they can go home feeling that they can believe in themselves, they should be proud of who they are and have the context that things can be difficult," Johnson said.

"But actually it doesn't mean that they're less worthy of opportunity out in the real world, then that can only be a good thing."

[ This year’s Dreamflight brings the total of children who have benefitted from the holidays to 6,597 ]