A five-year-old boy with a life-limiting condition was granted the trip of a lifetime thanks to Make-A-Wish® UK. 

James Vale from Redditch was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia which affects the body's bone marrow and disrupts red blood cell production. 

The impact of the condition has meant the little boy has missed out on the magic of Christmas, but his dream three-day trip to Lapland in Finland allowed him and his family to make wonderful festive memories. 

His mum, Lizzie Vale, said: "It was devastating, we were told his life expectancy wasn't very long. His life flashed before us in an instant. We don't know how long he has left, so it has an impact on all of us.

"For those three days, he could just live a normal life. He could have snowball fights with his brother and just do what other kids do." 

James, who loves school, reading and writing, was one of a number of critically ill children who got the chance to visit Lapland as part of Make-A-Wish. 

The vital charity grants wishes to some of the 63,000 children in the UK who are eligible due to a life-limiting or life-threatening condition as a way of allowing them to feel like any other child. 

During the special trip, the 5-year-old learnt how to drive a snowmobile, experienced a traditional husky sleigh ride, became an apprentice at 'Elf School' and met Santa's faithful reindeer. 

Most importantly, James was tasked with sorting and stamping the mail Santa receives from all over the world before getting to meet Father Christmas himself. 

Ms Vale said: "James loved the fact that he was on holiday with other children like him who also had critical illnesses and disabilities. 

"He said he felt 'normal'. We would never have had the opportunity to do something like this normally. It's a break from his condition which is tiring for him." 

Chief Executive at Make-A-Wish UK, Jason Suckley, added: "Every year thousands of children's lives are changed forever when they are diagnosed with a critical or life-limiting condition. 

"For these children and their families, it can be a dark and scary place filled with treatment plans, isolation, sleepless nights and constant worry about their future. These children face challenges that you and I can only imagine.

"The power of a wish brings light and joy to children and their loved ones at a time when they need it most. For some families, a wish will be the only way that their child can experience joy, happiness and have a childhood." 

For more information visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk/ or to make more magical wishes come true donate at https://donate.make-a-wish.org.uk/make-a-wish