A FARNWORTH teenager enjoyed a 'life-changing' holiday with a charity that takes children with serious illnesses or disabilities to Florida.

Kearsley Academy pupil Sam Flitcroft, aged 14, who is albino and registered blind, was nominated for the trip of a lifetime by his hospital consultant.

Dreamflight took a group of 16 youngsters, including Sara Moosa and Kendal Brown who are also from Bolton, to Orlando for the 10 day trip without their parents.

Sam, the youngest of six children who has three brothers and two sisters, said: "It was really good, life-changing.

"It taught me that no matter what, there's always someone who's got it worse off than me.

"My favourite thing — apart from swimming with dolphins and meeting new people — was probably the rides at SeaWorld."

Deserving children who will gain a real and lasting benefit from the trip, such as building confidence, are nominated each year by doctors, consultants and specialists across the UK.

Sam said: "I used to struggle quite a lot doing every day stuff, mobility and getting around but now I'm used to it.

"I just make sure I have changed things."

Sam's condition means he is sensitive to light and sun but Dreamflight staff and volunteers were on hand to make sure he stayed safe and happy throughout the holiday.

Mum Maureen said: "He was nominated by his consultant at the hospital because he coped so well with his disability.

"He copes brilliantly.

"We forget that he has got a disability.

"He doesn't let anything get in his way. He is so independent and determined.

"He has been away on trips with school but this was the longest he has been away."

Dreamflight was co-founded by a former British Airways cabin crew member, Patricia Pearce MBE, in 1987.

The trip started as a one-off, with Princess Diana waving the first flight off from London’s Heathrow Airport, and it has operated for the past 27 years.

More than 5,000 children have taken part in Dreamflight's holidays thanks to the support of hundreds of volunteers from the UK and in Florida who help to raise more than £750,000 each year.