Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Dream comes true for brave Shelley

30/12/2002

DREAMS really did come true for a brave youngster after she was given a once in a lifetime trip to Australia.

Shelley Brocklehurst is savouring hundreds of happy memories after a two month trip to Australia.

But the 20-year-old - who has raised over £40,000 for Christie Hospital despite battling an inoperable brain tumour - says the best part of her trip was seeing the stunning wildlife.

"Swimming with the dolphins and holding the koala bear were the best bits as I have always wanted to do that," Shelley said.

She added that the trip was even more exciting than she had hoped. "It was so much more than I expected. People are so happy over there and are really laid back and relaxed - there's nobody rushing or shouting at each other, it's heaven on earth.

"The worst bit was having to come home and leave that beautiful country."

During the two month stay Shelley, from Newton, visited penguin island, drove a navy submarine simulator, had a two week stay in a luxury beach front villa and was featured in the local paper.

And her mum, Eira, added: "It was fantastic, wonderful - there are no words to describe it.

"The memories we brought back were unbelievable and it was just what we all needed."

Eira said that had it not been for the Dreams Come True Charity they would never have been able to go. "They paid for Shelley and I to go for two weeks and we had to put in the rest - but it was definitely worth it."

She added a special thank you to Emirates Airlines who treated Shelley like a VIP during their 18 hour flight.