Disney: boy in tears as his flight is canceled after cancer treatment

Image source, Family photo

Legend, Charlie, his sister Maicie and their mother Annalise

Author, Stephen Fairclough
Role, BBC News
4 hours ago

A five-year-old boy, who was undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumour, “broke down in tears” when told his flight to Disneyland Paris had been cancelled.

Charlie and his family were due to travel from Manchester Airport but were told their Easyjet booking would not go ahead and they would not be able to take another flight.

Her mother, Annalize Styles, from Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, said the trip was organized by the charity Make a Wish UK, which then tried unsuccessfully to get them on an alternative flight.

Easyjet said it was “very sorry” that the flight was canceled, adding that it was due to delays caused by weather-related air traffic control restrictions over Germany.

Ms Styles said: “When we arrived at the airport, a woman at check-in told us our flight was canceled and asked us to move to the side. »

She added that when she told Charlie and his eight-year-old sister, Maicie, that they would not be going abroad, they were both upset.

“They burst into tears, devastated. They didn’t understand why they couldn’t go. »

In 2023, Charlie completed 18 months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Ms Styles described it as a “tough time” for the whole family who were looking forward to the trip to see Mickey Mouse in Paris.

The family was particularly excited to attend a breakfast session where they could meet their favorite Disney characters.

Image source, Family photo

Legend, Charlie’s mother said he was heartbroken

The situation was made worse by the fact that the Styles were one of only two families unable to get replacement flights from Bristol and Gatwick.

“It was like breaking Charlie’s heart twice,” Ms. Styles said.

“At first we would go, then we couldn’t. Then we could go after all, but then we couldn’t do it anymore.

“So we’re home now with the kids who are fed up and saying, ‘We should be at Disney right now.’

Ms Styles added that she had nothing but praise for the Make A Wish volunteers who did their best to enable them to find alternative flights.

She said she was also told her family was “at the top of their priorities” for another trip.

“Make A Wish did everything it could as soon as it was informed of the incident,” she said.

“They told us at 6am that Easyjet customer service doesn’t open until 8am, but they are trying to sort it out.

“I think there were nine families and five of them flew to other airports, either Gatwick or Bristol.

EasyJet said it understood the family’s disappointment.

The company added: “We are always seeking to do all we can to minimize the impact of disruption for our customers and are therefore sorry to hear about their experience at the airport, which we are investigating with the teams involved as This is not the level of service and compassion we expect.