On 14th October 2003 a group of young deaf people from the RNID Cymru Counseling & Befriending Service had their dreams come true when they met Cardiff Blues star,Craig Quinnell and Bruiser the team mascot.
This was the start of a day, unlike any other, as they flew from Cardiff to Edinburgh for an action packed adventure. For most of them it will be their first time on an aeroplane.
From Cardiff they flew to Edinburgh to visit the Castle, take part in an interactive science exhibition, experience a spooky ghost tour and an open top bus tour of the city all courtesy of the Edinburgh Tourism Council before returning home to Newport. They were accompanied by Sign Language interpreters all day, and additional support services were provided for those children who need it.
Jim Edwards from RNID Cymru says: The idea came about when the children were asked what they would most like to do going on an aeroplane was top of their list. The project staff contacted local airlines and were delighted when bmibaby agreed to provide 50 free places on the Cardiff to Edinburgh flight. With the Edinburgh Tourism Council involved we are looking forward to having a really exciting day.
Cardiff Blues added: We are proud to support many charities throughout Wales. And when RNID approached us we were more than happy to help, in conjunction with bmibaby to organise the flight from Cardiff."
The RNID Cymru Counselling and Befriending service has been running for three years and is proving successful in providing support to Newport's deaf and hard of hearing young people and their families. It is the first of its kind in the country and is held up to be a model of good practice.
For more information about RNID, visit: www.rnid.org.uk or contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: [email protected]