Emma's treat is great-grandad's final wish

A YOUNG girl has taken the trip of a lifetime – thanks to her great grandfather’s dying wish.

Seven-year-old Emma Lowe had been through two tough years, losing three greatgrandparents and one of her grandparents.

Then she was diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal curving of the spine. It means she will have to wear a back brace for the next ten years.

But Emma, a year three pupil at Woodlands Primary School in Yate, kept smiling through.

And her reward was a trip to see Father Christmas and his reindeer in Lapland.

Mum Maria said that her grandparents - Emma’s greatgrandparents – Eve and Alb Young had a special relationship with Emma, and Alb’s last wish was to make sure she was given a special treat after his death.

She said: “Me and mum gave palliative care to my grandfather and he said to make sure we spoiled her once he was gone.

"Unknown to me, my mum went into a travel agent and booked Lapland!”

Maria and Emma’s dad Dominic decided to keep the trip a secret, but gave Emma an advent calendar with pieces of a jigsaw, which came together to make an invitation to see Father Christmas in Lapland.

The family of three flew out the next day with Maria’s parents Carolyn and Keith Williams.

Maria said: “Emma has been dealing with all that has happened so well.

"Losing special family members, and then her diagnosis, have been a tough time. She knows she will have to wear a back brace until she is 16 or 17.

“She has dealt with so much and seems to take it in her stride.

“Lapland was a thrill for all of us. When Emma met Father Christmas and fed the reindeer it was magical.”

Woodlands head teacher Rachel Dean said: “During her trip Emma’s favourite thing to do was to feed the reindeer with lichen!

“The family enjoyed the Northern Lights - or the aurora borealis seeing beautiful green and orange in the sky. Emma said the best thing was seeing Father Christmas.

"When Emma returned in January, she shared a beautiful scrapbook with Mr Gabb and Maple class.”