Dolphins dream sunk for brave 10-year-old

7:00pm Friday 19th September 2008

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IT was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, to allow a 10-year-old Bournemouth girl with a rare life-limiting disease to swim with dolphins and visit Disneyland in Florida.

Instead, Ebony Robinson's parents had to break the news that their two-week break wasn't going to happen because Travel City Direct was part of XL Leisure Group, which has gone into administration.

Ebony's dad Tyrone, 37, said that although the firm is Atol-protected, by the time they get the money back it may be too late to book another trip as his daughter's health is worsening.

Ebony has Ataxia Telangiectasia, a genetic progressive disease that causes multiple disabilities including affecting motor skills and the immune system.

Mr Robinson said that those with AT generally do not survive through their late teens.

Ebony is not completely dependent on her wheelchair but has been using it a lot more recently, so he can't say what the future will hold.

The lost holiday was a double blow as friends and family members had raised the £5,358 needed and family friend Rachel Allen had urged her brother Mark Archer to run the Flora London Marathon to help.

Mr Robinson, who works for the Post Office, said he and wife Lorna watched the news about XL Leisure unfolding with horror.

"The chief executive of XL was giving a press conference and he said: Please bear in mind we also trade as Travel City Direct'. I looked at my wife, she looked at me - and she burst into tears."

Mr Robinson said that Ebony loved dolphins and when she heard she was to swim with them at Discovery Cove, had shed tears of joy.

Rachel Allen, who works for Seward in Christchurch, said she hoped someone would come to their aid and advance the money until the Atol refund came through.