IT seems dreams really do come true as one Evesham youngster is set to jet off for the holiday of a lifetime after battling an adult form of blood cancer.

Eight-year-old Grace Dolphin was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in May last year.

Since then she has been at the centre of the Go Grace campaign - an appeal set up to send the youngster and her family to Disney Land in Florida.

And on Thursday the dream holiday became a reality as mum and dad Andy and Stacey Dolphin booked the tickets for Grace and sister Olivia to make the journey in October this year.

"We booked it for October for two weeks," said Mr Dolphin. "I think for the girls it's a bit far away. Initially they were excited and Grace had got her outfit sorted for the airport.

"When I told them I dropped the brochure on the floor and said we are going there."

The trip will see the Dolphin family stay in the aptly named Disney Dolphin Hotel and visit as many of the parks as possible during their 14 day stay.

All in all the holiday will cost around £15,000 but this has been made possible by everyone who has contributed to the fundraising.

Recently Tracey Davies, of Creative Hair & Beauty in Blackminster, held a raffle raising £75 with the winning tickets picked by Grace herself.

And in January an event thrown by Grace's grandparents raised £700 bringing the total to something around £18,000.

"The way I see it now anything we raise will be for the Birmingham Children's Hospital," said Mr Dolphin. "I still plan to run the Birmingham Half Marathon to raise money."

This year has also brought more positive news for the family as Grace once again was placed in remission following a bone marrow test and has had her central line removed.

"She's absolutely brilliant at the moment," he added. "We have had a mad start to the year. Grace said to me she's so excited to have the line removed because they have started swimming lessons at her school and she will be able to go for the first time since last May.

"She said she feels almost free of it now because when she looked at herself all she could see what the tubes."

The family are now looking forward to the trip, although it will be another five years of tests and check-ups for Grace.

"For us the girls it's just going to be amazing," added Mr Dolphin. "We want to make it an extra special trip. The Thompson agent said they would contact Disney and explain the story as well.

"It's the holiday of a lifetime for us."