Pat Pearce MBE on founding Dreamflight, flying with the Queen and carrying the Olympic torch

Patricia Pearce MBE also known as Aunty Pat shares her story of founding Dreamflight, a charity that gives children with serious illnesses or disabilities the holiday of a lifetime in Orlando. Pat also reflects on her almost 40-year career flying with BOAC and British Airways, how it has shaped her as a person along with her highlights.

Dreamflight offers more than just a fun trip; it gives young people the chance to discover independence, boost their confidence and gain a fresh perspective on life, something medicine alone can’t provide. Pat’s inspiration came during her involvement in British Airways’ Christmas flights for underprivileged children. After watching the joy on their faces when they met Disney characters at the Disney World Road Show that was touring Europe at the time, she declared: “Next year, we’re going to Disney World!” That single trip has since grown, with over 6,000 children now having enjoyed the experience.

Pat discussed the evolution of the program, which began by taking 288 children on a 5-day trip. Over the years, the trip has expanded to 10 days, with significant improvements such as a better adult-to-child ratio (from 1:4 to 1:2).

“It struck me quite heavily that they don’t learn from us adults, they learn from each other”, Pat explains how the children feel like the odd one out until they’re on a trip with other children who all have an illness or disability, their confidence is boosted and they no longer feel ‘othered’. “I think any kid going through any treatments like that or anything, they deserve a little treat in life”.

Dreamflight’s children are nominated, often by medical professionals. Each group includes a doctor, three nurses, a physiotherapist and non-medical staff. This careful selection process ensures the children are properly cared for throughout the trip.

Over the 37 years of Dreamflight, Pat highlights one of the biggest challenges is she was not medically trained. She reached out to a paediatrician at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, located not far from her home, for guidance. He assisted her by placing notices in medical magasines to recruit volunteers. Pat says that Dreamflight has now built its own network and people want to volunteer and happily recommend it to others in the field.

Regarding funds for the charity, it all started with Pat writing an article for the British Airways News that went out to all the staff and they started supporting Pat with fundraising, she recalls, “I’d arrive on a trip in Sydney and the ground staff would meet me with an envelope with a load of money in it!”. There aren’t any big sponsors and its mainly done by people giving. Pat also wants adults to have fun, “If you want to run a marathon, you do it, you get sponsorship, so it’s great. The adults are having fun and the kids get a holiday so everyone wins”.

Pat highlights some of her favourite moments whilst flying with British Airways, one of them being flying with The Queen for two months! “That was just

fantastic, we finished the trip on the last night in the Philippines and we were invited on the Royal Yacht Britannia”. Pat continues to express gratitude that she has carried most of the royals in her time and loved every minute of it. It was a dream of hers since being 9 years old as she lived near an airport and would always watch the aircrafts flying over. Another highlight for Pat was taking her parents to Barbados. “Why get a proper job when you can see the world for free, stay in first class hotels and meet wonderful people? That’s why I stayed for 39 years”. “Flying teaches you a lot”, she says, “I think you learn how to handle situations and manage things. Her advice to younger air stewards was not to lose their temper and to keep smiling whatever you do.

Dreamflight maintains strong connections with the children they take on trips, mostly through social media and email, with many participants still reaching out to “Aunty Pat” directly. Recently, Pat received a message from someone who was part of Dreamflight in 2016, which said, “Dear Aunty Pat, just thought you’d like to know I’ve just graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Law.” The message went on to thank Pat for encouraging her to step outside of her comfort zone during the trip. Pat also proudly celebrates Natasha Baker, who has won gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals in dressage. Reflecting on these successes, Pat says, “I think it’s about teaching them to believe in themselves, despite their disability, they can go on to achieve great things. That’s what I want to do.”

In 2012, Pat had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch down the steps to Blenheim Palace and she was selected because of Dreamflight, she describes it as a very special day and she loved it. Pat also received an MBE from The Queen and whilst watching the Queen’s funeral, “I touched it and I thought The Queen had her hands on that. It suddenly meant that much more to me because I thought, nobody else is going to get one from her, are they?”.

At a British Airways reunion, a former chief pilot revealed that when Pat first approached CEO Colin Marshall with her Dreamflight idea, the board thought it was a harebrained scheme. But Marshall had faith in her and the pilot volunteered to fly the first trip. Now, pilots compete to fly Dreamflight!

A common misconception is that British Airways funds the plane, but Pat clarifies: “I prefer it that way - if a company paid for it, it would feel like theirs, not ours.” Dreamflight relies on fundraising, but British Airways supports the charity in other ways, such as providing the hangar for the children’s grand departure, led by the RAF junior marching band.

Looking back, Pat notes how much things have changed in starting a charity today. She advises anyone looking to start one to contact the Charities Commission for guidance. “They regulate a lot now, so getting their advice is crucial.” She also stresses the importance of building a team with different skills. “I can’t do accounts, so I get someone who can. Bring in people with skills you don’t have.” After 37 years of running Dreamflight, Patricia has learned that a strong, diverse team is key to success.

You can find out more about Dreamflight via their website, https://www.dreamflight.org/ and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Dreamflightpage