Seaside Travel partners with charity to take family on holiday

Seaside Travel has partnered with Bishop Auckland charity to send a family on a much-needed holiday to the coast at Easter.

 

The family of two adults and three children, aged seven, 14 and 16, will be taking a three-night luxury caravan break at Crimdon Dene Holiday Park near Hartlepool.

 

The father, Kris, is currently receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer.

 

The 13 branches of the northeast England chain are also collecting Easter eggs for the charity, The Angel Trust, which supports people in need across County Durham and Darlington.

 

Carly Taylor-Davis, who works as a sales consultant in Seaside’s Bishop Auckland branch, first had the idea for the holiday after she visited the trust’s coffee shop.

 

“She instantly felt that she wanted to help the trust in some way so approached our senior management to see what we thought,” said Rebecca Rutter, Seaside Travel’s regional sales manager for the west.

 

They decided to offer a UK break for those in need, with the trust nominating families who would benefit from the trip.

 

“It was so heart-wrenching reading the situations, many of whom were living with life-limiting conditions, terminal illness or were living through grief following a recent death,” said Rutter.

 

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Taylor-Davis and Seaside’s training and community manager, Kate Dixon, booked holiday park, which is 30 minutes from the family’s home in case they need to return for any reason.

 

They then joined Rutter to visit the family to share the news about the holiday.

 

“We immediately felt close to them. They can’t wait for their break at the seaside,” said Rutter.

 

“We will be making a welcome hamper for them and providing the food they need for meals while there.

 

“They seemed very shocked when we first told them; they are so happy.”

 

Elliot Pole, head of marketing at The Angel Trust, said they also surprised the children with goodie-bags full of their favourite toys, games and sweets.

 

“We work with thousands of families across the year, with campaigns like our Toy Appeal, Easter Egg Drive and Christmas Party,” he said.

 

“We are so grateful that Seaside Travel has been working alongside our team on these projects, and gifting a luxury holiday break, providing vital community support when we need it most.

 

“As a local business, they may have clients, staff and contacts who have been supported by our services and so it is great to see them giving back and helping local people. Thank you to everyone involved.”