Seriously ill or disabled children have talked about joining for the charity-funded holiday of a lifetime in Florida.

The 191 young people from across the UK, many of whom had never been abroad or away from their families, traveled free to Orlando thanks to the Dreamflight charity.

On their penultimate trip to SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove, they had the opportunity to swim with dolphins.

Some young people were lifted from their wheelchairs and thrown into the water to approach them.

“It was definitely the highlight of the trip.”

Logan Pipe-Edwards, 14, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, said: “One of the dolphins came into the shallow area and I was able to rub it, it was a once in a lifetime thing.

“It was a lot of fun, like playing a beach ball.

“I feel very happy that I went in there and did it.”

They were chosen to join the holiday after living with a serious illness, disability or trauma.

Emily Bingham, 12, from Dereham, Norfolk, said: “I’ve done a lot on this trip and been on a lot of rollercoasters.

“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

“I feel like I really belong, there are other people on this journey who are disabled so it’s been great to meet them and talk to them.”

“It’s good to understand that there are people who have gone through similar things and that it’s not you who is alone.”

Mireille Lloyd, 12, from Bath, said: “It has been really nice meeting other children and having all these really interesting experiences.

“I get to know everyone and since we’ve all been through similar things, it really brings you together.”

Also among the children was Lottie Scott, 14, and her brother Tommy Scott, 11, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Her brother added: “It’s really great to be on holiday with my older sister and I’ve met a lot of new friends too.”

Dreamflight has taken more than 6,500 children on its annual trip since 1987.

The trip cost more than a million pounds.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas said goodbye to the children as they left Heathrow Airport last weekend.