Race against time for NI special needs group bound for Lapland after Thomas Cook collapse
Trip of a lifetime on line for 44 children
A group of 44 children with special needs from Northern Ireland are facing a race against time to save their Christmas trip to Lapland after the collapse of Thomas Cook.
Inspire NI raised £18,000 to give the young people the experience of a lifetime.
But now that could be in jeopardy.
Ballygown mum Alison Walker there, whose teenage son Samuel attends the club.
She says the group has been life changing for the both of them
But she says with the Thomas Cook collapse they are all in limbo.
“If we do not get this money back we will not be going,” she said.
“In eight months we raised that figure through coffee mornings, ballots, cinema nights, quiz nights, barbecues, we ran the marathon.
“We are a group of mums and dads – and we have worked so hard over the last eight months
“Fingers crossed and good luck to everyone who’s in the same position as us.
“We know what you are going through."
Meanwhile, the first wave of stranded holidaymakers returned to Northern Ireland last night (Monday) as part of the first wave of Operation Matterhorn - the biggest peace-time repatriation.
The passengers arrived at Belfast International Airport from Turkey.
More are expected to land today.