Travel Weekly and Abta LifeLine have teamed up to launch a charity appeal to support those in the travel industry whose lives have been adversely impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
The TravelCares campaign will raise essential funds to allow Abta LifeLine to help those who have lost their jobs or are facing other hardships as a result of the pandemic.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, said: “The impact of the Covid-19 crisis has been truly devastating for our industry, and it is clear that without more support from government, many more lives will be affected.
“Travel Weekly has been a long-standing supporter of Abta LifeLine’s work, and we are calling on all our readers to support the TravelCares campaign and do what we can to help those industry friends and colleagues whose lives and livelihoods have been worst-affected.”
Trudie Clements, director of Abta LifeLine, said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Travel Weekly to bring you our TravelCares appeal. It has never been more important for our industry to come together and support travel colleagues struggling because of Covid-19.”
She added: “Many valued colleagues have already lost their jobs. And we know it will be tough for many more over the weeks and months to come. We would like to encourage all those that can to get behind our appeal to help raise the vital funds we need to provide the support our people need right now. Let’s show them that TravelCares.”
Alistair Rowland, Abta chairman and an Abta LifeLine trustee, said: “Travel is one large family, and right now we need to go beyond being competitors and support each other. Great people are losing their jobs, and those who haven’t need to help. Any size of donation is fine – let’s just support each other and get to the other side together.”
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/TravelCares
How your donation could help
£50 will give a family an essential food shop, £50 will pay for a colleague to go through Abta LifeLine’s redeployment scheme (to help until travel fully recovers and opportunities open up again), £100 will give someone the expert debt, benefit and housing advice they may need and £300 will provide vital mental health support.
But LifeLine does so much more. From crisis grants to helping with priority bills (rent, utilities), and from providing essential household appliances to buying school uniform, the charity tailors its support to meet the needs of the individual or family.
Case Study: Nicola Taylor
Nicola Taylor was made redundant on her one-year work anniversary at Westwood Travel’s shop in Alton, Hampshire, in March. It was her friend and agency owner Emma Westwood who delivered the devastating news to her.
Former sales consultant Nicola said: “I am a 38-year-old. I have never been made redundant before. My heart goes out to Emma – she was crying and in bits. She said that she was struggling to pay wages. I baby-sat her daughters when they were young.”
Emma allowed Nicola to stay at her desk until the end of the day so she could update her CV and LinkedIn profile.
Nicola, who has a five-year-old son called Freddie, said: “My first thoughts were ‘I am a single mum’, I need to temp’.”
She added that she faced “huge problems” applying for Universal Credit, struggled to get through to speak to anyone at first and was three months behind on her rent.
She said: “It has been very stressful and there have been a lot of sleepless nights.”
Abta Lifeline put Nicola in touch with the Citizens Advice Bureau after she reached out to the industry charity in April. She has also been sent Tesco vouchers to cover food bills.
“I just felt that there was no way out,” she explained. “Without Abta LifeLine I don’t know what I would have done. I lost the job I loved doing but I could not afford to pay bills or afford to pay for food shopping.
“Thanks to Abta LifeLine, I’ve been able to eat during lockdown.”
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/TravelCares