Children with chronic illnesses enjoy free day at Foire du Midi

More than 260 sick children between the ages of five and 18 were offered free entry to all the attractions at Brussels’ Foire du Midi for a day, in an annual initiative to put smiles on young faces.

The children came through 12 associations such as Make-A-Wish, Amarrage, Smiles, OHANA, GESED and Belgium Ear Connections, among others, through an initiative put forward by the festival’s organisers.

“They are really happy to be here,” one volunteer from the non-profit organization ClassContact told RTBF at the event.

The association allows sick children to follow lessons remotely so that they can avoid dropping out of school.

The fair's ambassador, Brussels DJ Daddy K, alongside Britt Herbots, forward of the national volleyball team, and Brussels alderman for economic affairs Fabian Maingain were also in attendance.

"The fair is a dream for young and old,” Maingain told RTBF. “We can make these children experience a day of escape and sometimes also for their families.”

Sick Children’s Day has been taking place for 20 years. Last year, about 180 children attended through the same programme, accompanied by Belgian actress Virginie Hocq.