THE mum of a little girl who Foresters have taken into their hearts wants to thank everyone who has made it possible for them to go to Florida to let her swim with dolphins.
"The money for Anya's trip the best Christmas present we could possibly have," said Mrs Denise Claridge of Cinderford.
"I really want to thank everybody who helped to make it possible. We are getting to our target and have been able to book a date to go – it's wonderful."
Anya, four, has a condition similar to cerebral palsy, and ever since learning of the difference Dolphin-Human Therapy has made to youngsters like her, parents Denise and Kevin have been determined to give their little girl the same chance.
And now it is all coming true thanks to the generosity of Forest folk who have attended the many fundraising events to help her.
The Claridges will now be flying out to Florida in July with their daughter, and will be spending a couple of days to enable her to get over the flight before she starts her treatment.
"Obviously, we are not expecting miracles, but we have been talking to people who have taken their own children there and say it has made a world of difference," said Mrs Claridge.
Among the events which helped were a pig-roast at Milkwall and a harvest festival sale at the Tufthorn Inn.
The couple also wanted to thank Wye Valley Drinks and Jewsons for help at the pig roast, which was organised by Alan Hart and his team, also Cinderford Rugby Club which gave rooms free of charge for fundraising discos, and their many other supporters.
"I am also grateful to our family and friends. Without them, none of this would have been possible," said Mrs Claridge.