Dream comes true for Ronan

The magic of Disney descended on a brave Connemara boy, making it a Christmas to remember for the four year old who is fighting a terrible life threatening illness.

Ronan Gaynor, from Lettergunnet, Furbo, spent the afternoon in the company of a host of Disney favourites – including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck – as well as Woody from Toy Story and some of the Minions for good measure.

The surprise visit was thanks to the Share a Dream Foundation and Ronan’s granny Bridie Faherty from Barna, who asked if they could bring their Dream Machine and Dream Team to Galway.

“It would give us all such a lift and give us a very happy memory to hang onto seeing Ronan playing and having fun with his sister, all his cousins and family,” she said.

So, on December 29, the Dream Machine the Dream Team headed from Limerick to Galway – having to do battle with Storm Frank along the way.

“We asked God to get us there and back to Limerick safely, which he did and we thanked him for the wonderful experience and privilege to meet such a lovely family and to organise the best Christmas party ever for their beautiful little boy who is fighting such an uphill battle,” said Share a Dream founder Shay Kinsella.

Ronan’s favourite characters all arrived to his door to surprise him and he then headed into the Dream Machine, the interactive fun bus where he spent the next two hours enjoying the magic inside.

His family were thrilled with the lift it gave the little fighter.

“They made the day so special, battling through Storm Frank to make it to us to put a smile on a very special little boy’s face,” said Ronan’s aunt Amanda Gaynor.

And granny Bridie agreed: “They are wonderful people and this has given everyone a great lift.”

Ronan is the young son of Evelyn and Mark Gaynor; he has an older sister – six year old Katie – and has been battling serious illness.

“It is our privilege to be invited into the homes of very sick children to make their fondest dreams come true.

“We pray for Ronan and all the amazing children we worked with over the Christmas and even Storm Frank couldn’t dampen the true spirit of Christmas that we experience all over the country,” said Shay Kinsella afterwards.

If you can help Share a Dream continue their work in helping sick children in Ireland by organising a fundraising event or making a donation you can contact them today at 061-200080 or email dreams@shareadream.ie