New charity Simon Read Foundation to offer holidays and trips to ill children in Hampshire and Dorset

A LITTLE boy suffering from cancer is to get his dream holiday to Disneyland Paris thanks to a new charity launched in memory of a tattoo artist who grew up in Lymington.

The Simon Read Foundation, set up by his widow Caroline, will offer trips to seriously ill children who live in Hampshire and Dorset.

The first to benefit will be Adam Lewandowski who was diagnosed with cancer aged three.

His mum Paulina said every time he was put to sleep for one of more than 60 hospital procedures and operations in the last two years, he would wake up and ask: “Am I well enough to go to Disneyland now, mummy?”

Unable to afford the trip, Paulina had to tell him: “Maybe next time, darling.”

Thanks to the foundation, Adam is now getting to go on his holiday of a lifetime.

Paulina said: “It’s absolutely unbelievable. Adam was so excited when he found out. He told his grandma, ‘Nanny, nanny – now I can take you to Disneyland!’

“He’s my superhero and now he is going to meet some real life superheroes. He is so excited he hasn’t stopped talking about it.”

Adam was presented with his prize at a Halloween launch party for the charity hosted by Caroline which raised £7,000.

Her late husband Simon, who grew up in Milford and Lymington, was a well-known tattoo artist in Boscombe who died last year at the age of 54.

Caroline, who was married to Simon for 25 years, said: “Simon looked like a big bruiser but inside he was a big kid. His favourite place in the world was Walt Disney World, Florida.

“We would go every year and he would be in his element. His mantra was ‘live a little’ and so the charity’s objective is to give ill or disabled children a chance to do just that.”

Caroline, from Bournemouth, has set the foundation up with Simon’s sister, Donna Wilkins.

It will pay for children with illnesses and disabilities to enjoy holidays day treats, trips and respite.

Donna said: “We were talking about Simon one day and Caroline said, ‘My greatest fear is after a while no one will say his name any more.’

“So I suggested we set up the charity so everyone will remember it forever.”

The foundation raised £7,000 at the launch party held last weekend.

Caroline said: “It was a fantastic event. Simon would have loved it. We hope the charity will enable families going through tough times to just have a bit of fun for a while and make magic memories.”

Visit thesimonreadfoundation.co.uk