On 18 December Dreamworld theme park and airline Virgin Blue teamed up to give 80 special children the opportunity to take a sleigh ride to Dreamworld.

The kids got to take a chartered Virgin Blue flight to Coolangatta to spend the day at Dreamworld and WhiteWaterWorld, and meet not just Santa Claus, but also the park’s Sumatran tiger cubs, born in March this year.

Sydney radio station Mix106.5 was inundated with stories of hardship and survival when they asked listeners to nominate kids and families who deserved a special day out.

Among them is a single mother of two recovering from an operation to remove a tumour, a couple with a two-year-old boy facing a kidney transplant and a young teenager struggling with a disease that is fast attacking his vision.

The entire event was supported by volunteers including Virgin Blue crew members who donated their time to operate the special flight as well corporate supporters who provided everything from gifts, food and beverages, the waiving of landing fees at Gold Coast Airport and transfers by Surfside bus.