A HAIRDRESSER from Poole has gone above and beyond her port of call to make her client’s Disney wishes come true.

Jacquie Hughes, a mobile hairdresser, was so touched when she heard a client tell of her daughters' struggle with liver failure, cancer and meningitis, she launched a secret fundraising effort and raised over £2,000 to book the young woman on the holiday of her dreams to Disneyland Paris.

Julie Hinks was visiting the Poole salon, when the conversation with her hairdresser turned to Julie’s daughter Sophie and her struggle with liver disease. Sophie Hinks was just 16 when she became ill with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare and chronic liver disease.

Undiagnosed until 2015, Sophie, 21, had struggled through school and exams, with extreme pain and sickness until her liver finally failed in 2016 and an urgent transplant was required.

Jacquie said: “I just could not believe Sophie’s story, everything that could possibly go wrong, did go wrong for her and her family. I was so touched and overwhelmed by what Julie was telling me I wanted to try to help.

“Julie had told me that Sophie was a Disney fanatic, but had never had the opportunity to go & I thought that would be the ideal surprise for her upcoming 21st Birthday.”

A suitable liver was found for Sophie in 2017 and the transplant was completed and thought to be successful. However, weeks later, she was back in hospital with viral meningitis and following a CT scan it was revealed that Sophie was suffering with post-transplant Lymphoma.

Sophie was transferred to the Teenage Cancer Trust Ward at University College London Hospital where she underwent chemotherapy for Lymphoma, sadly developing Sepsis numerous times.

Without Julie or Sophie’s knowledge, Jacquie began planning secret fundraising events. Afternoon teas for her clients, a BBQ supported by Patisserie Mark Bennett, a raffle with the support of Graham Hill Motors.

Liverpool Victoria donated travel insurance for Sophie, which would have been problem with her medical history. Over two thousand pounds was raised, enough to send Sophie and her Mum to Disneyland Paris for a four-night stay in October.

The surprise was revealed to Sophie at a recent birthday dinner for her 21st birthday. An excited Sophie posted on social media: “So the cat is out of the bag. I am going to DISNEY!!! I can’t thank Jacquie and everyone who donated enough. Happy isn't the word to explain how I feel right now!”

Jacquie continued: “I can’t thank all my clients, friends and everyone enough for helping me make this dream come true for Sophie. She is over the moon and so am I!”