The TravelCares appeal set up by Travel Weekly and Abta LifeLine is close to surpassing £20,000 in donations, which will help support those in the industry adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The appeal has so far raised more than £19,000 with Gift Aid in online and offline donations, and organisers are hoping that further donations in the run-up to Christmas will help it top £20,000 by the end of the year.
The fund was boosted last week by an £1,800 donation from an anonymous donor who said: “Thank you to all the dedicated travel professionals who help us all find peace and happiness. Merry Christmas.”
Abta LifeLine has supported a range of travel industry workers who have lost their jobs or are facing other hardships as a result of the Covid crisis and last week called on those in need to register for grants and other emergency support including food vouchers in the run-up to Christmas.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, said: “We have all witnessed first-hand the devastating impact the pandemic has had on thousands of lives and livelihoods in the travel industry, and TravelCares offers an opportunity for those who are able to give what they can to support those in need.”
She added: “We have received some incredibly generous donations, but also smaller but no-less important contributions that all go to support the work of Abta LifeLine, which has never been more needed.
“In the run-up to Christmas, it would be great if our fantastic industry could dig deep again, perhaps in place of an office Secret Santa or sending Christmas cards, and take the appeal past £20,000 to help those in our industry most in need of our help.”
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/TravelCares. Donations can be of any size, with every pound donated directly helping someone in need in the travel industry.
How your donation to TravelCares 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.
To donate click here
