Four-year-old Emmy Taylor, who was left with 65 per cent burns to her face and body, has been on a dream trip to see Santa in Lapland
Emmy Taylor with mum Laura
Emmy Taylor with mum Laura, Brother Kian and dad Ian
Robert Taylor and Andrew Taylor who lost their lives in the fire
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A BRAVE girl who suffered horrific burns in a caravan fire has had her Christmas wish come true.
Four-year-old Emmy Taylor, who was left with 65 per cent burns to her face and body in a blaze that claimed the lives of her grandfather and uncle, has been on a dream trip to see Santa in Lapland.
National charity Starlight Children’s Foundation, which grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children, arranged for Emmy and her mum Laura, dad Ian and brother Kian, to take a magical trip to a traditional Finnish resort.
Mum Laura, from Flint, said: “It has been lovely to spend time as a family. And to see Emmy’s happy face is priceless.
“Emmy lost a lot of confidence following the accident which has left her with severe burns. It’s been nice to watch her confidence return during the few days we were there.”
Emmy will be receiving treatment for the rest of her life following the accident in June last year. The fire at Sunnysands Caravan Park near Barmouth, mid-Wales, killed her grandfather, Robert Taylor, 58, and uncle, Andrew Taylor, 26.
She was pulled from the fire by her gran, Denise, who suffered burns to her forearm.
Since then Emmy has had more than 50 operations, with the next one due next month, and doctors have been astounded by her recovery. She wears a protective plastic face mask four hours a day and has to go to hospital every three weeks.
Emmy, who is treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, was referred to Starlight and joined a group of families at Luosto, Finland, for the three-day trip.
The family enjoyed a ride through the woods on a sleigh pulled by huskies, met the reindeer and, of course, Santa and his elves.
Laura said before the trip: “This has been a horrible time for the whole family and poor Emmy has been so brave throughout her treatment which just goes on and on.
She adores Father Christmas and would love to meet him.”
Starlight believes that every child deserves a happy Christmas and aims to bring fun, laughter and distraction to poorly children and their families by granting magical wishes and providing festive entertainment in children’s wards across the country.
According to National Health Service figures, more than 100,000 children are expected to spend time in hospitals and hospices across the UK. Many of these children will be suffering from life-threatening illnesses and, for some, it could be their last Christmas.
To support Starlight Children’s Foundation visit www.starlight.org.uk