A Great Harwood man has taken a group of underprivileged children on a dream trip to Disneyland.
Earlier this month ex-rugby player Mickii Edwards took 70 children, including disabled and underprivileged youngsters as well as Ukrainian refugees, to Disneyland Paris for two days.
The children had VIP passes and also had access to Universal Studios during the dream trip.
Mickii, a former Oldham and Swinton winger, said it was a fantastic experience.
He said: “We had a ball of a time, it was great to see the smiles on some of the children’s faces.
“Some of the Ukrainian children had never even heard of Disneyland, so to see their faces was unbelievable.
“All around it was just a fantastic experience and everything went to plan. The kids got to meet their Disney heroes, which was on another level for them.”
The dad and husband in the family was on leave, after fighting in the war against Russia. Mickii organised for him to join his family on the trip.
He said: “They were crying all the time, it was heartbreaking but it was a fantastic memory for them to share together. It is something they will never forget
“The emotions on the day were unbelievable you couldn’t write it. They were crying walking into Disneyland so to share this experience with them was on another level.”
While organising the trip Mickii, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2021, said he always wanted to organise a big trip like this while he is still able to do so.
Mickii, who owns Tipsy Cows in Great Harwood, has organised dozens of free trips for underprivileged kids in the last 12 years.
“When organising these I am fighting with myself, and my health, and raising funds.”
Earlier this year Mickii was joined by Sky TV crews to film his exploits for a special documentary.
In the show Mickii is leading one of two teams filled with ex rugby league and union players who are competing to swim the channel.
The 22-mile race across the channel entitled ‘The Big Rugby Swim’ brings together ex-rugby league and union players in two teams of six.
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