FEARLESS children from Dorset left their families behind and conquered their fears on a once-in-a-lifetime sunshine holiday in America.

In total 192 youngsters from across the UK spent 10 days in Florida on the annual Dreamflight trip, having been nominated by doctors, healthcare teams and social workers from around the country.

The children – some of whom require round-the-clock attention – visited SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Disney World during an all-adventure tour of the Sunshine State.

For many, the excursion represented the first time away from home, with dozens of medics among the volunteer chaperones during the holiday.

As a final treat, they were given the opportunity to swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove in Orlando.

Several of the youngsters were carefully lifted from their wheelchairs to get into the water, where instructors and carers helped them get up close with the mammals.

Dreamflight participant, Amar Chidziva, 12, from Canford Heath, said: “I remember getting the letter to say I was being invited to Dreamflight, and I thought ‘That’s a bit random’.

“This has been my first time abroad and my first time on my own away from my family like this – I’ve done things I never thought possible in my lifetime.

“But it has been really cool making friends. Even though this is a holiday, I have been trying to stay healthy, eating a lot of salad every day rather than fries.”

Bella Phillips, 11, from Poole, also went on the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Dreamflight is celebrating its 32nd year, having been supported by the late Princess of Wales for its maiden flight, while a host of celebrities including Ryder Cup-winning golfer Ian Poulter and entertainer Sir Cliff Richard have all given up their time to help out.

Charity founder Pat Pearce said: “I started this charity as a bit of a drunken bet all those years ago.

“Now, 32 years on, I look around and I’m really proud to see a charity that keeps going year after year, supported by very kind people, and features only one person drawing a salary.

“Not many charities can say that, and it is down to the generosity of the volunteers and those who help fund Dreamflight.

“I don’t have my own children, but I come here and feel like a parent and a friend to each of the 192 kids on Dreamflight.

“I handed over the reins to a full-time director a couple of years ago, which means I can now focus less on the operational side of things and spend more time sitting with the children, listening to their stories and seeing how people’s money is helping.”

The whole trip costs around £800,000 and covers everything from a chartered British Airways jet to three meals a day.