Holiday firm collapse may scupper dolphin trip for Ebony, 10 (From Bournemouth Echo)

Holiday firm collapse may scupper dolphin trip for Ebony, 10

7:00pm Friday 26th September 2008

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A FAMILY whose trip of a lifetime was grounded when holiday firm XL Leisure collapsed has been offered a ray of hope but further help is still needed.

The Robinsons, from Bournemouth, were due to fly out to Florida to fulfil 10-year-old Ebony's dream of swimming with dolphins along with a visit to Disneyland.

Ebony has ataxia telangiectasia, a rare life-limiting genetic disease. Sufferers generally do not survive beyond their late teens.

The £5,358 holiday, paid for by family and friends through fundraising, collapsed as it was booked through Travel City Direct, a division of XL Leisure Group, which went into administration.

Parents Lorna and Tyrone Robinson will get the money back in the longer term, they fear the delay will mean their daughter will not be fit enough to travel.

After the story appeared in the Echo, Tyron was "thrilled" to get a call from Bush Entertainment, who look after Discovery Cove where the dolphins are based.

"A PR company that represents Discovery Cove said that whenever we are back to let her know the dates as we will get in for free," he said.

Lucy Howell of Bush Entertainment in the UK said they had spotted the story online and have offered the family free entry to Discovery Cove and entry with the dolphins.

Lorna, Tyrone, and children Ebony 10, Owen 11 and Cerwyn 13 are still hopeful that someone can come to their aid to help with the flights.

Anyone wishing to help can contact the Daily Echo.

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