Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT) will continue creating special experiences and lasting memories for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, thanks to a new three-year commitment of financial support from luggage shipping specialist Send My Bag.
The Bangor-founded door-to-door luggage shipping and relocation company will provide funding in each year of the partnership. Its support will help the entirely self-financing charity sustain its annual Lapland flight and wider Days to Remember programme for children whose medical needs may prevent them from travelling to Finland.
Send My Bag becomes NICLT’s eighth regular corporate partner, joining seven other local businesses whose support helps the charity plan ahead and continue its work with children and families across Northern Ireland.
The partnership comes as Send My Bag celebrates 20 years in business, while NICLT has been creating memorable experiences for children for 18 years. The charity was formed in 2008 by Co Antrim businessman Jack Rodgers, with its first charter flight to Lapland taking off the following year.
Since then, the charity has taken more than 1,800 children to Lapland. Children selected by healthcare professionals travel with a parent or carer and are supported by doctors, nurses and volunteers. In Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, they enjoy activities including husky and reindeer rides, snowmobile adventures and a visit to Santa himself.
The next flight will depart from Belfast International Airport on 15 December 2026, giving another group of children and their families the chance to step away from hospital appointments and enjoy the magic of Lapland.
The charity also runs its Days to Remember initiative for children unable to make the Lapland journey. This has included family trips to Disneyland Paris and local experiences designed around children’s individual health and mobility needs.
Adam Ewart, founder and CEO of Send My Bag, said “I have seen the care and work that goes into creating these experiences and the difference they make to children and their families. As Send My Bag celebrates its 20th year, we are very proud to formalise our support through this three-year partnership.
“We hope our commitment will give the team greater certainty as it plans future flights and Days to Remember, helping many more families make memories together.”
Colin Barkley, Chair of Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust, said: “We are enormously grateful to Adam and everyone at Send My Bag for making this generous commitment. As a charity that receives no Government or Lottery funding, dependable corporate partnerships and fundraising are crucial. This support will help us continue giving seriously ill and deserving children a day filled with excitement and memories their families can cherish.”
He added: “This has also been an exceptionally difficult year for everyone connected with the Trust following the sudden passing of our much-loved President, Gerry Kelly. The award-winning television presenter had been involved with our charity since its formation in 2008, initially serving as a Trustee and Board member and, from 2018, as President. His dedication, warmth and unwavering support for the Trust over so many years will be greatly missed.
“Gerry’s role was never simply honorary. He was deeply involved in the charity and determined that its work should continue to grow. This exciting new corporate partnership with Send My Bag very much helps us to build on Gerry’s legacy and that of our Founder, Jack Rodgers, to further develop the charity as they would have wished.”
Pictured are (l-r) Colin Barkley, Chair, Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and Adam Ewart, founder and CEO of Send My Bag.