A FAMILY’S dreams are coming true as 2008 shapes up to be a special Christmas they will never forget.

The Wilde family has been enjoying days out and theatre trips donated by generous Hampshire businesses and individuals since the Daily Echo highlighted their plight.

The family was struck by tragedy in 2006 when mum Christine was given just months to live after breast cancer spread to her bones. This Christmas is expected to be her last.

Christine and dad Ken forked out £100 to take daughters Lauren, nine, and six-year-old Lily to the now-closed Lapland New Forest to make this Christmas extra special.

But when the infamous theme park shut down – and with Ken facing redundancy – the Wildes, from Chandler’s Ford, could not afford to do anything else.

Their Christmas dreams have been made a reality thanks to the generosity of Daily Echo readers.

On Saturday they were treated to a VIP day out at St Mary’s Stadium in S o u t h a m p t o n , courtesy of the Saints Executive Club Charity, where they watched the match against Nottingham Forest from the comfort of the Matthew Le Tissier Suite before being presented with a signed football.

And they enjoyed a day out at Paultons Park – complete with a trip into the park’s magical Winter Wonderland to meet Father Christmas.

Christine, 41, said: “We are all Saints fans, the whole family, so we were delighted to be offered the opportunity to go along to a game.

“We are just amazed by people’s kindness – people that do not even know us.

“We are totally overwhelmed with the kind offers that have been coming in – they really will make Christmas extra special for us. It just goes to show there are good people out there.”

Last week, the Wildes also enjoyed a trip to see Cinderella at The Mayflower in Southampton, where they also met star Christopher Biggins.

They also went to see Happy Circus’ Santa’s Circus in Eastleigh.