This year the Leicester Mercury wants to raise enough money to send a seriously ill child to Lapland.

Every year national charity When You Wish Upon A Star treats dozens of courageous children from Leicestershire on a dream trip to Lapland.

The inspirational youngsters spend the day in a winter wonderland, meeting reindeers, huskies and best of all - Santa.

Reporter Yasmin Duffin, who attended the trip last year on behalf of the Mercury said: "For one day only, the children are children again - not a patient, or a hospital number, just children,” said Yasmin.

“And not just that, the parents can be parents again. It’s amazing seeing the parents and children spending such a special day together."

We want to raise at least £900 - the amount it costs to send a child and their parent or guardian to Lapland at Christmas.

Help us reach our target and make a child's dream come true.

To read more and to hear the children's stories who went on the trip last year, visit: www.leicestermercury.co.uk