Ryan off on a Special Holiday
29th July 2008
RAF Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
With thanks to Flight Lieutenant Louise Daly Media Communications Officer
A smile from ear-to-ear tells a story of a lucky lad from Lyneham. Ryan Hargreaves has been selected to attend a holiday organised by the Soldier, Sailor and Air Force Association (SSAFA). 

Each summer, SSAFA Forces Help organise two holidays for children with special needs and disabilities between the ages of 8 and 14.  They aim to give the children opportunities and experiences usually denied them, and to heighten their self-esteem, sense of worth and emphasise their abilities in a caring and child centred environment. 

SSAFA Forces Help also offer holidays for the siblings of children with special needs and disabilities from the ages of 8 to 12.

They recognise the unique needs of siblings in a family where there is a disabled child and organise the holidays with this in mind. Ryan’s Mum, Audrey, put Ryan forward for the holiday after seeing it advertised in the local HIVE at RAF Lyneham.

All holidays are adventure activity bases and aim to give children the opportunity to have a break from their families, take part in activities they may not normally have a chance to access and to have a fun holiday. Each child is assigned to a personal carer throughout the duration.

Ryan will travel to Barnstable, Devon on Saturday morning, where he will stay for a week.  Ryan’s dad, Richard who serves with the RAF at Lyneham, will be away during this period so his section No 1 Air Mobility Wing have volunteered to take Ryan and his mum to Devon.

Ryan who has severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), said: “I’m so excited, I can’t believe I’ve been picked”.  When his mum was asked if she was going to enjoy the break she said: “I’m absolutely dreading it.  Ryan has never been away from me for this long before.”