WHAT better way to clear your head after an ABTA business session than to throw yourself off a 150ft wooden platform in the middle of a Queensland rainforest in the name of charity with only a bit of elastic keeping you from your death?
Travel Weekly deputy editor Liz Bird, along with some of the industry’s top people, were put to the challenge by the man who likes to take risks, French Life’s Warren Sandral.
Forte’s Louise Cowgill, Advantage’s Neil Armorgie and Manchester Airport’s Garry Winterburn were among the brave. Primary International’s James Richardson went one step further by deciding the platform was not high enough and opted to run off the roof instead. But everyone was upstaged by ABTA’s very own super hero – Travel Agents Council chairman Stephen Bath, who turned up in full Superman outfit complete with cape and some fetching red pants over his trousers.
But there was one person missing from the bungee jump – Travel Weekly’s very own editor Jeremy Skidmore. He pulled out after developing a mysterious back problem and got some well deserved stick.
But it was all in a good cause. A staggering £18,000 was raised for the Family Holiday Association’s Time2Care Appeal. Travel Weekly, a supporter of the event, donated a further £2,000. Special praise, however, has to go to Louise Cowgill who raised £3,000.
n The Association of Train Operating Companies will provide free rail travel to the 6,000 children and carers who will benefit from the Time2Care Appeal next year.