By Tyler Wright
Children had their dreams come true on Thursday 17 August at Puffing Billy’s Emerald Lakeside Station in a partnership between the railway and Variety – the Children’s Charity.
Some 600 young people with special needs, alongside their families and carers, flocked to Emerald Lakeside Visitor Centre for a day full of joy; hitching a ride on the Puffing Billy locomotive, getting their faces painted and even meeting Disney princesses.
With the station closed off to the public for the day, and free entry, attendees got to make the most of a roving magician, live entertainment and music and enjoyed air-brush tattoos and face painting while getting creative with arts and crafts activities and the indoor play space.
14-year-old Keira Milmes, from Maryknoll, attended the Variety Dream Day with support worker Ruby Graham.
Ms Milmes has been involved in Variety since receiving a donated all-terrain hippocampe wheelchair from the charity in 2022.
“[Keira] was unable to get a hippocampe funded by the NDIS,” Ms Graham said.
“They live in Maryknoll, so the paths are gravel…they’re not concrete and they’re not easily accessible.
“The hippocampe helps [Keira] access her local area and get her more involved in the community.”
From there, Ms Milmes has grown increasing involved with the organisation’s events and initiatives; modelling in an advertisement for an all-abilities playground in Clyde and attending the Variety Christmas Party as well as days at the zoo.
Ms Graham said both herself and Ms Milmes felt welcomed from the moment they arrived at the Dream Day.
“At any Variety event, you instantly feel welcomed,” she said.
“For people with disabilities, disadvantaged kids, people without diabilities, feeling welcomed is so important.
“Being a disability support worker, it’s just so nice to go somewhere where we feel that we belong as well.”
Variety’s head of fundraising and marketing, Melissa Williams, said it meant “everything” to see families enjoy a day of special experiences when they might not otherwise be able to access activities like Puffing Billy Railway.
“It’s so incredibly special and humbling,” Ms Williams said.
“For many children that we support, they may not have had the experience to come here.
“That could be through accessibility issues or financial issues, so for them to be able to have a day to be here, bring a car, and open up exclusively so that it’s not too busy, it’s not crowded; it’s just a lovely environment…it’s lifetime memories for them.
“We thank the support of the team here at Puffing Billy. It’s been incredibly nice to plan and to offer this.”
Puffing Billy Railway CEO Peter Abbott said the Variety Dream Day at Puffing Billy Railway was an “unforgettable experience” for everyone involved.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of children and witnessing those happy moments was truly inspiring,” Mr Abbott said.
“We are honoured to have been part of this special event and look forward to continuing this tradition next year.”
