The parents of two children who died of carbon monoxide poisoning while on a Thomas Cook holiday in Corfu are now supporting the travel company to raise awareness of the dangers.
Christi and Bobby Shepherd died when a faulty boiler leaked carbon monoxide into their room.
Sharon Wood and Neil Shepherd have now revealed they are backing a new Thomas Cook initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and fund research.
Cook said it was committed to raising an initial £1 million to promote awareness through research, awareness campaigns, the promotion of legislation and other initiatives within the tourism industry, aimed at reducing the risks associated with carbon monoxide.
The travel group said the development followed recent conversations with Mrs Wood and Mr Shepherd,
Mrs Wood said: “I have found Thomas Cook’s pro-active and respectful approach in setting up this initiative very refreshing.
“Working together is the best way to facilitate positive change and I embrace this opportunity wholeheartedly.
“I am very proud that [chief executive] Mr Fankhauser chooses not to forget what happened to Christi and Bobby and I look forward to being a part of the good work this initiative will do.
“My children lost their lives to carbon monoxide and a very public case highlighted their deaths, yet there are still hundreds of British CO victims every year. There is so much more that can be done to stop this ‘Silent Killer’.”
Thomas Cook said in a statement: “The health, safety and welfare of our customers is the absolute priority for Thomas Cook, and through this new initiative, we will work with charity partners, research houses and leisure travel organisations to fund research into protection from carbon monoxide, limit the risks associated with carbon monoxide, and raise general awareness of the related dangers.
“Mrs Wood and Mr Shepherd have agreed to support this initiative, and Mrs Wood will be taking an active role in promoting its objectives.”