Sick Ohio kids take fantasy flight to North Pole

[December 14, 2010]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- What was billed as a flight to the North Pole never left the ground, but that didn't matter to about 50 children and their families in Cleveland.

Most of the kids who took part in the weekend adventure at Hopkins airport were ailing patients from two hospitals. Many had never been on an airplane.

The Plain Dealer newspaper reports they were guided onto a Continental Airlines jet Saturday by elves wearing candy cane-striped tights and green, curly toed shoes.

Crew members lowered the shades inside the cabin so the inside lights wouldn't hurt the eyes of reindeer. And then the engines roared for the fantasy journey.

The children deplaned to find Santa, Christmas trees and gifts. It was all part of a tradition that began several years ago.

___

Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.