A Reuben’s Retreat family enjoyed a two-night stay on board Disney Magic in the summer, as part of a project by Travel Counsellors and Disney Cruise Line.

Since April 2021, Travel Counsellors has been working with Disney Cruise Line to promote the line’s Disney Magic at Sea UK sailings.

Travel Counsellors set a challenge of booking 150 cabins and for every cabin sold the company donated £10 towards a cabin for a family at Reuben’s Retreat, a charity that supports bereaved families and those with children with life-limiting or terminal illness.

The experience was subsequently awarded to eight-year-old Molly and her family.

Reuben’s Retreat founder Nicola Graham said: “During a pandemic, when travel has taken such a hit, to be gifted such a wonderful experience is testament to the special relationship between Travel Counsellors and Reuben’s Retreat.

“For this family, it’s about far more than the gift of a cruise. Offering this opportunity to them has allowed them to create magical memories which will last a lifetime.”

Molly’s mum said of the cruise: “On board the Disney cruise, we had the most amazing experience and made the most precious memories that we will treasure for a lifetime.

“It was beautiful to see Molly smiling and laughing so much at Olaf and the other Disney characters.

“The whole experience was fantastic, and Molly absolutely loved it. Molly is the epitome of strength and resilience, and we are so grateful and blessed to be able to experience this and make special memories.”

Travel Counsellors head of cruise Janet Whittingham added: “As soon as we decided to provide a family at Reuben’s Retreat with such a special gift, we just knew we had to reach our goal.

“Our Travel Counsellors immediately got behind the effort, and it wasn’t long before we smashed our target. When I made the call to Nicola at Reuben’s Retreat to gift the cruise, she was taken aback by the generosity of our community and we both felt the raw emotion of gifting something so special.

“Disney Cruise Line really does create magic at sea, and I, along with everyone in the Travel Counsellors community, are delighted that Molly and her family were able to create magical moments to treasure forever.”