Prestwick Airport help organise special flight to visit Santa in Lapland for VIP kids

At Glasgow Prestwick Airport, all through the night, elves worked tirelessly for a very special flight.

Yesterday, Saturday 14th December 2019, the airport welcomed 70 excitable Wish VIPS and their families from across Scotland, who departed on a wonderful journey to Lapland to visit Santa.

The trip, organised by Scottish registered charity 'When you Wish Upon a Star' began in the early hours of the morning. Once everyone was checked in, they proceeded to the Winter Wonderland lounge which was set up in the Airport Aviator Suite. With a custom lighting show, festive nibbles, refreshments and movie screening everyone relaxed and waited until it was time to board the Lapland Express.

The little champions ready to board the flight

To welcome everyone aboard, the passengers were piped onto their flight which departed for Rovaniemi at 7am.

Donations came in from various companies to help make this a day to remember – including festive decorations from Dobbies in Ayr, Christmas gifts from XS Stock in Irvine, a contribution from Unite (Prestwick’s Branch) for refreshments, the lighting show was provided by Zisys based in Prestwick and a Build-A-Bear soft toy from WellChild Charity. In addition, the airports concessionaires Nuance, WHSmith and SSP also supported the event by suppling gifts, snacks and refreshments.

Jane Thomson, Glasgow Prestwick Airport Landside Manager said:

“When you Wish Upon a Star is a charity close to the hearts of all the team here at Glasgow Prestwick Airport and we were delighted to hear that they were planning a flight to Lapland.”

“The generosity from companies around the local area has been incredible and we would like to thank each and every one of them for helping make this day so special.”

“We are delighted to confirm that the airport charity fund is making a donation to When you Wish Upon a Star to help them continue with their great work.”

The charity, When you Wish Upon a Star, said:

“We can’t thank Glasgow Prestwick Airport & the local companies enough for their continued support to our magical Wish granting work in Scotland. We are thrilled to have been in the position this year to invite just some of Scotland’s most brave and inspirational Wish children & their families to join us for a magical day away where we go in search of the real Father Christmas in his home town of Rovaniemi, Finland.

“It’s with the support, enthusiasm and dedication of Jane and her team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport that sets the magic in motion at the beginning of what will be the most memorable of days. A day that allows our families to put their child’s illness on hold, come together as a family and make precious memories.

“We are proud to have Glasgow Prestwick Airport and the many local companies very much part of our Scotland Wish granting team Thank you so much for your support”