One local youngster and his family were among about 300 passengers on a very special flight earlier this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, Air Transat flight A330 took off from Vancouver International Airport for the seventh annual Flight in Search of Santa. Organized by Air Transat and the Children's Wish Foundation, it gives about 100 children with various life-threatening illnesses and special needs the chance to fly to the North Pole on a special mission - to rendezvous with Santa Claus and bring him back to Vancouver.
The Blackwood family from Tsawwassen was one of many on the flight. Six-year-old Jacob was diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma in his right eye when he was just 14 months old.
Retinoblastoma occurs when cancer cells develop in the retina, the part of the eye that detects light. The Grade 1 student at Beach Grove Elementary is cancer free after having surgery to remove his right eye, said mom Kim.
He now wears a prosthetic eye but that doesn't seem to slow him down one bit as he played with younger brother Charlie, 4, and other kids as everyone waited to board the plane.
Kim said the family received an unexpected invitation to the special event from the Children's Wish Foundation, adding Jacob and Charlie were "so excited" about the flight.
"It's a nice surprise for these guys," said dad Mark.
The atmosphere was festive - with crafts, face painters, clowns and carolers - at the gate as everyone waited excitedly to board the plane.
"For Air Transat, this event holds a very special place among our corporate responsibility initiatives, and our employees go all-out to make the day an unforgettable one," said president and CEO Allen Graham. "We're proud to support Children's Wish
and do our part to help brighten the lives of young children who are struggling with illness every day."
After boarding, the fun began before the plane even left the
ground. The passengers ERR were encouraged to make lots of noise to help the plane fly fast to catch up with Santa, who had been spotted on the radar.
After a snack and some Christmas carols, led by volunteer carolers and flight attendants, the pilot announced he had Santa and his reindeer in his sights and the big man in red was going to land his sleigh on the plane and come in to join the flight.
The excitement was evident as Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared at the front of the plane and made their way up and down the aisles. They stopped to talk to Jacob and Charlie, and each and every child, posing for countless photos and handing out stockings filled with gifts.
"Creating magical and memorable moments is at the heart of what we do," said Amber Dyce, chapter director with the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. "Thanks to Air Transat, we are able to provide a hundred children with this extraordinary experience: a mid-air meet-up with Santa himself. It's magical; there is no other word for it."
After Santa and Mrs. Claus had visited with everyone, the plane made its descent to YVR.
Before the flight, Air Transat also presented the Children's Wish Foundation with a cheque for $780,000, which was raised over the past two years as part of the company's Small Change, Big Hearts program.
