Great Harwood man taking Ukraine refugees to Disneyland

Ex-rugby player Mickii Edwards is set to take 35 Ukrainian children and 35 children with disabilities, from Blackburn and other parts of East Lancashire, to Disneyland in September.

The former Oldham and Swinton winger was diagnosed with early-onset dementia two years ago aged only 48 and wanted to do something big while he is still able to.

He said: “My condition is getting worse so over the last 10 years I have been doing quite a lot of charity events in the area.

“We raise thousands for the kids, taking them to theme parks such as Alton Towers and Winter Wonderland over the year.

“I wanted to do one last thing before the dementia gets even worse.

“I have always wanted to take a group of kids to Disneyland but I have never been able to do it.”

He also visited war-torn Ukraine last year and said the trip left a lasting impression. He went with friend Simon Lingard who died while fighting in the war.

Mickii said: “It was absolutely horrendous over there and nothing like you see on television.

“No one was trained in blast injuries and so many were in agony as there were no antibiotics or sufficient medical staff.

Mickii Edwards (second from left) at Daisyfield Swimming Pools (Image: Half Fish HQ)

“I brought supplies over, including medical supplies. I set up tents there so hospitals could be trained.

“Simon used to train with me in the gym and we both decided to go over there.

“We just wanted to do something about it. Sometimes you have to try to make a difference and stand up for what you believe in.”

The kind gesture will be filmed for an upcoming Sky documentary called ‘The Big Rugby Swim’.

Mickii said the children were so excited when they were told the good news.

“We told them a few weeks ago and when they found out the news they started screaming, which is on the documentary,” he said.

“They have no money and it has been really hard for them over the last few years.

“Some kids needed a break. Their parents are working 24/7 and living on the breadline and may never get the chance to get away.”

Mickii estimates that the trip will cost £25,000.

He has used profits from his bar, Tipsy Cows in Great Harwood, and donations from Oldham rugby supporters and BooHoo to fund the trip.

Red Rose Travel is taking the children to the theme park for no profit.

Mickii is still accepting monetary donations.

He said: “It has been tough to organise. For instance, I forgot the kids didn’t have passports so we had to raise £3,000 in a week to get passports ordered for them.

“If there are any business out there that would like to make a donation, that would be great. We want to treat them while we are out there.”

To make a donation visit JustGiving at:www.justgiving.com