Barrhead Travel stores raised more than £1,000 and collected 7,000 items for foodbanks as part of the chain’s annual Day of Giving on Thursday (July 11).
Staff at the 37 agencies and head office joined forces with colleagues in the US-based parent, Travel Leaders Group, to support the annual charity event which aims to tackle hunger in their local communities.
Donation stations were set up in stores, with agents asking colleagues, customers, friends, family and local retailers for money and items such as non-perishable food items and hygiene products.
More than £1,100 has been raised in cash donations with more to come. The money will be sent to Trussell Trust, a charity with more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK.
The 7,000 items that were collected were delivered to foodbanks.
Every Barrhead Travel employee is entitled to one paid charity day per year and many used this opportunity to volunteer at their local food bank.
Lesley Pollock from the Barrhead Travel ticketing team volunteered at Glasgow NE Foodbank and said her experience was “eye-opening and rewarding”.
Jacqueline Dobson, Barrhead Travel president, said: “We are delighted to be a part of The Annual Day of Giving alongside our colleagues in America.
“This day comes at an important time as summer term is often a challenge for families who rely on free school meals.
“I am so proud of the generosity and effort each team invested in their community. Poverty on our doorstep is something we cannot ignore and we are determined to continue to do our part to help.”
The agency chain also supports travel trade charity Just a Drop and has been fundraising for Buwambo Health Centre in Uganda.
Thanks to the donations from Barrhead, the charity began drilling for the installation of a fresh water tank last week.
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