‘A gift beyond words’: Co Antrim family joins NI Children to Lapland journey

Courtney and Corrin Kennedy (7) from Dunloy, Co. Antrim.

For seven-year-old Corrin Kennedy from Dunloy, Co Antrim, this Christmas will be unlike any other. Instead of hospital appointments and medical routines, Corrin and his mum, Courtney, are travelling to Lapland on a magical, once-in-a-lifetime journey made possible by the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust.

Corrin, who has cerebral palsy (left-sided hemiplegia), epilepsy and is registered as visually impaired, is among more than 80 children from across Northern Ireland living with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions who are taking part in the charity’s annual festive trip.

Departing from Belfast International Airport tomorrow (Wednesday 17 December 2025), the journey marks the 17th year of the trust’s flagship initiative, which has already brought the wonder of Lapland to more than 1,800 children and their families.

Back Row (L-R) Fiona Williamson, General Manager, NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust; Siobhan Bosket, Trade Relations Manager, TUI; Colin Barkley, Chair, NICLT; Deborah Harris, Communications & Corporate Affairs Director at Belfast International Airport; and Courtney Kennedy. Front Row (L-R) Sarah-Louise Grundon and daughter Talia (4), from Coleraine and Corrin Kennedy (7) from Dunloy.

For Courtney, the opportunity represents far more than a holiday. She said the moment she learned Corrin had been selected felt almost unreal.

“From the moment I received the email telling us that Corrin had been nominated and selected to go to Lapland, it has felt completely surreal. It’s an opportunity I never imagined we would have, and we are so deeply grateful.

“For families like ours, an adventure like this would be impossible because of our child’s complex medical needs — but thanks to NI Children to Lapland, our dream is becoming a reality. They have thought of every detail, every challenge, every worry, and lifted them from my shoulders so I can simply enjoy the trip of a lifetime with my special boy and make memories to last a lifetime.

“To be able to take Corrin to meet the real Santa… is a gift beyond words, an experience both Corrin and I will treasure forever.”

Talia Grundon (4) from Coleraine with (back row l-r) Siobhan Bosket, Trade Relations Manager, TUI; Colin Barkley, Chair NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and Deborah Harris, Communications & Corporate Affairs Director at Belfast International Airport. Front Row (l-r) Talia’s mum Sarah-Louise Grundon; Corrin Kennedy (7) and mum Courtney from Dunloy.

Corrin is particularly excited about flying on a blue plane and meeting Santa and his reindeer in Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle.

The carefully planned itinerary includes reindeer and husky rides, mini skidoo adventures, sleigh rides, snowmobile safaris and a personal meeting with Santa himself — all delivered with full medical support on hand.

Alongside Corrin, families from across Northern Ireland will share the experience, including four-year-old Talia Grundon from Coleraine, who lives with complex neurological and physical needs.

Nominated by Causeway Hospital, Talia has undergone more than 20 surgeries since birth and recently began walking for the first time following surgery in late November.

Sarah-Louise Grundon and daughter Talia (4) with Corrin Kennedy (7) and mum Courtney from Dunloy.

Her mum, Sarah-Louise Grundon, said:

“This trip means absolutely everything to us. Talia has been through more in her little life than most adults ever will, and to see her excitement about Lapland is just magical. For once, it’s not about hospitals or appointments — it’s about her being a little girl, full of wonder and happiness.

“We are beyond grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to see the joy on her face when she meets Santa.”

The trip is delivered through the collective efforts of TUI, Belfast International Airport, Swissport, Shell Aviation, Finavia, Rovaniemi Airport, Santa Park and Wild Nordic in Rovaniemi, supported by an extensive team of healthcare professionals and volunteers.

Chair of the NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust, Colin Barkley, described departure day as the culmination of a year of fundraising and planning.

“This is the biggest day of our year and the culmination of 12 months of fundraising and planning. Seeing the joy on the faces of these children and their families makes it all worthwhile and inspires us to do even more for deserving children in the years ahead.

“There is no greater Christmas gift than bringing joy to children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. We are deeply grateful to our partners, fundraisers, volunteers and supporters whose generosity makes this magical trip possible and continues to bring light and happiness to these families.”

He also paid tribute to corporate partners and fundraisers whose backing ensures the trip can continue year after year.

(L-R) Courtney Kennedy and son Corrin (7) from Dunloy, Co. Antrim with Siobhan Bosket, Trade Relations Manager, TUI.

TUI Marketing Manager Charlotte Brenner said:

“It is an enormous privilege to welcome on board the children, families, medical teams and support staff heading off on this exciting adventure to Lapland. We’re delighted we can lend our support once again and help to make this a joyful experience that will create wonderful lasting memories.”

Belfast International Airport’s Communications & Corporate Affairs Director Deborah Harris added:

“We are thrilled to welcome the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust flight back to Belfast International Airport. It is always a very special day and this year is no exception.

“We are delighted to welcome all of the children, their families and the fantastic staff to Belfast International Airport and we are sure they will have an experience to remember. It is very important for us to be part of this magical event - it really brings home the meaning of Christmas.”

(L-R) Colin Barkley, Chair, NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust; Deborah Harris, Communications & Corporate Affairs Director at Belfast International Airport; Talia Grundy (4) and mum Courtney from Coleraine; Fiona Williamson, General Manager, NICLT; Siobhan Bosket, Trade Relations Manager, TUI; Corrin Kennedy (7) and mum Courtney, from Dunloy.

The festive atmosphere will be heightened by a performance from The Choir Studio from Newry at the airport ahead of departure. Kathy McCaughey said:

“We are so privileged to lend our voices to something so special! This is the true meaning of Christmas for our choir family.”

Photos and memories from the journey will be shared on the charity’s Facebook page at @childrentolaplandtrust.