A magical day trip to Lapland for dozens of seriously-ill children will go ahead despite fears the charity behind the outing would be forced to cancel.

About 30 youngsters from Leicestershire will fly to the frozen wastes of the Arctic Circle to meet Father Christmas and Rudolph and enjoy a day in the snow next month.

The charity When You Wish Upon A Star had feared in the summer that a down-turn in donations, due to the recession, would leave it unable to guarantee the flights and grant all the wishes it receives.

In July, it said it might be forced to cancel the trip if funding was not forthcoming.

However, fund-raiser Nicola Brien said that, following a plea for help, the flight could go ahead.

She said: "People from the East Midlands have rallied round to support us and that has made all the difference in what has been a difficult year. We have some really loyal supporters in the region who have helped ensure the trip could go ahead."

Families who have benefited from the charity's work said it would have been "disappointing" if the East Midlands trip had been cancelled.

Oliver Brooks, 27, of Market Harborough, took his daughter Madison to Lapland last year.

The four-year-old was born with congenital myasthenia gravis – a rare neuro-muscular disorder, which affects her movement and has left her needing to spend 12 hours a day on a respirator and take daily medication.

Mr Brooks said: "It was a fantastic day out. Madison really enjoyed it and talks about it to this day.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It gives you a break from normality, a chance to forget about your daily routine.

"It would have been very sad if others had not had the chance to experience it. It is something that any child who is as poorly as Madison should have the chance to enjoy."

Alison Birkin took her 15-year-old daughter Chloe on the trip last year.

Chloe was diagnosed with idiopathic dystonia – a neurological movement disorder – aged nine and is now confined to a wheelchair.

Alison, 42, said: "Chloe has had a very difficult year so it is good to think that she has those happy memories.

"It is nice to think we made the most of the good times. It would have been disappointing and a real shame if other children had not had the same opportunity."

The charity is appealing for people to take part in its annual Great Leicestershire Santa Run, on Sunday, December 6, in Victoria Park, in Leicester.

Last year more than 200 people dressed in Santa suits took on the 1.5km run to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

www.thesantarun.org.uk