TTG deputy news editor Jennifer Morris joined the Flight of Dreams from Stansted on December 14, following departures from Manchester and Glasgow.

Flying was a first-time experience for many of the children, some of whom were nominated through Cook staff and social media, while others were identified through Thomas Cook Children’s Charity’s work with dozens of organisations.

Aoife McDonogh, charitable relations manager at Thomas Cook Children’s Charity, said: “It’s been a wonderful series of flights this year.

"We’ve been lucky enough to find Santa during all of the Flights of Dreams and give our passengers a truly magical and memorable day and do our little bit to help improve the lives of children and young people at Christmas.

"A big thank you to our colleagues and customers who kindly support Thomas Cook Children’s Charity – as without their support, we simply couldn’t do events like these.”

Cancer survivor Brooke Smee, 10, joined the Stansted flight with her brother and mum, Kayley, who said: “It’s been wonderful – we didn’t get home from hospital until Christmas Eve last year.”