A WOMAN from west Suffolk is set to help seriously ill children live their dream and experience the magic of Disney.

Katherine Lawes, 24, from Bury St Edmunds, will be supporting 22 children and their families on Caudwell Children’s Destination Dreams programme.

The annual programme is specifically designed to help families enjoy precious time away from constant medical appointments and daily struggles.

Ms Lawes, who works as an occupational therapist (OT), will join a team of 30 volunteers on the week-long Florida break to make sure families have a stress-free and fun-packed holiday.

She said: “Being an OT, I see daily how precious life is and I wanted to be able to give my time to support these families, whose time together is so very cherished, and help them make long-lasting memories they can treasure.

“I have never done anything like this before. Other than volunteering for charities whilst at university as a day helper, I have not been away on any trips or anything of this magnitude before.”

For many of the families, it is their first and only break away from home due to the high medical dependency of their child.

Ahead of this year’s Destination Dreams trip, which takes place later this month, the 24-year-old has raised funds for the organisation by holding boot sales and completing a sponsored half marathon.

Trudi Beswick, chief executive of Caudwell Children, said: “Without the support of volunteers like Katherine, Destination Dreams could not go ahead due to the amount of additional supported needed for the trip.”