In the Beginning
In 2007, Co Antrim businessman, Jack Rodgers, became aware of a flight taking deserving children from Dublin to Lapland to meet Santa.
So taken was Jack with the idea that he immediately saw the potential to do something similar for the children of Northern Ireland. Doctors, paediatricians and psychologists unanimously recognised the enormous benefits of such a trip.
For the children, there would be the excitement and anticipation of the trip, not to mention the day itself, while for the parents of, say, a terminally ill child, there would be the very special memories created, which would be so important in the days and months ahead.
As a result, the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust was formed, in 2008, with the inaugural flight taking off the following December, in our own chartered 140 seat aircraft. The following year it was increased to a 180 seater and, since, 2012, it has been a 220 seat aircraft. In 2017, we took
our 1000th child to Lapland.
Jack was, very deservedly, awarded an MBE in 2012, for his services to young people and charity over a period of 40 years. Jack sadly passed away in March, 2019, but his legacy lives on.
The more money we raise, the more children we can help!
(Please note: The hospitals are solely responsible for the selection of the children who travel on the trip. If you think your child would be eligible to go on one of our trips, we suggest you speak to your child’s consultant.)