Latin America specialist Latin Routes has launched a Christmas appeal to buy presents for kids in families affected by the crisis in travel.
The operator is asking the industry to nominate children in families hit by redundancies or reduced hours in travel.
Jess Dennison, co-founder of the operator, said donations worth more than £260 had been collected within hours of her social media request being posted.
Her post read: “I work in the travel industry which has been devastated by Covid. Over 90,000 people have lost their jobs including many of my personal friends and colleagues.
“At Latin Routes, we have been wracking our brains for an idea of how we can support our industry and the families financially impacted by Covid, to make just a small difference this Christmas.”
She told Travel Weekly: “We decided as a team to do this – it really is a team effort.
“We are all coordinating this and we will be in the office in December, in our own bubbles, wrapping gifts and writing cards.
“We want people to make recommendations about kids who we can help – it might be tough for people to ask for help but we’d encourage people to come forward.
“Lots of people within our sector need support and having to find money for Christmas presents can be a lot of stress for some people.”
She said nominations will remain confidential so people can recommend children without worrying about identifying particular families.
Supporters of the appeal can buy a pre-selected gift for a child from the online gift list compiled by Latin Routes or donate a few pounds for the operator’s team to buy a gift.
News of the appeal follows Dennison’s initiative to help agents identify cost savings, and she has been offering advice about phones, rent and other bills.
“I like to keep busy – I don’t dwell on doom and gloom,” she said.
To find out more, visit www.latinroutes.co.uk/Christmas-Appeal or email christmasappeal@latinroutes.co.uk.
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