Holiday Extras and the JG Travel Group have both launched collections of supplies to help Ukrainians fleeing the invasion by Russia.
They are just two of many travel brands that have shown their support for Ukraine over the past week, with more joining on Friday (March 4) with fundraising initiatives.
Cheltenham-based JG Travel Group has been collecting items that will be taken to Ukraine on Sunday (March 6) and is pledging to make financial donations.
Meanwhile, the staff at Holiday Extras – based in Hythe, Kent – have been collecting supplies that will be driven to the border on Saturday (March 5).
Andy Freeth, chief executive at The JG Travel Group, said: “Like everyone, we are following the devastating news about the conflict in Ukraine with a heavy heart and simply can’t begin to imagine what its people are going through.
“Everyone at The JG Travel Group HQ wanted to do something to help, and staff organised a collection of essential goods.
“These will be delivered to a local drop-off point and depart on a truck for the Ukraine on Sunday.
“We’ve also pledged to donate £10 for every online booking made across our three brands this Saturday and Sunday, which will go directly to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.”
Lindsay Garvey-Jones, national retail manager at Holiday Extras, said the supplies of medicines, duvets, toilet rolls and clothes will be driven to the border by a colleague’s friend.
“My heart hopes for global peace…this is the least we can do,” she added.
Team @HolidayExtras are collecting as much as they can for #StandWithUkraine️ nappies | meds | duvets | loo rolls | clothes | socks etc one of our team’s friend is driving to the border tomorrow to distribute – my heart hopes for global peace this is the least we can do pic.twitter.com/P4GSEHGnnF
— Lindsay Garvey-Jones (she|her|hers) (@LGJHX) March 4, 2022
Elsewhere, more than 40 volunteers helped at the Manchester HQ of Travel.Radio and the station’s accountants C&R Taxation Consultancy, to play their part in the Ukrainian war effort.
Debbie Henley, Travel.Radio’s chief executive, joined the volunteers on Friday morning to unload vans full of donations to be distributed to the people of Ukraine as part of the joint Polish and British #StandWithUkraine effort, organised by the Polish Integration Support Centre.
Henley said: “There are no words to describe people’s generosity both in terms of the things they have donated and the time they have given to help.
“The Polish Integration Support Centre are doing a magnificent job organising and co-ordinating the relief effort. We currently partner with the Polish Tourism Organisation on Travel.Radio and are proud to support this relief effort.”
Volunteers turned out at Discovery Works,Manchester, home to https://t.co/ZSD2q3DFne HQ and accountants C&R Taxation Consultancy, to play their part in the Ukrainian war effort. Full story: https://t.co/z3nhCKH6uF#Ukraine#UkraineRussianWar#PolandFirstToHelp#manchesterpic.twitter.com/dyGpJlIU9o
— Travel.Radio (@YourTravelRadio) March 4, 2022
• Geotourist has urged the industry to show its support by listening to a tour by its Ukrainian partner, Solo East Travel, and donating to the DEC and International Red Cross Emergency Appeal.
Lindsey Wilson, who handles partnerships and marketing for the tourism app, said Solo East Travel offered tours to the Chernobyl site and the town of Pripyat, home to the plant workers.
“We were relieved to catch up with Sergei from Solo East earlier this week but saddened when he told us that much of this route is now under occupants’ control,” she said.
“Take a moment to listen to the tour and to show your support for a tour company who are currently either displaced or hiding in bunkers.
“Some of our own Geotourist colleagues are based in Ukraine and are also having their lives disrupted and facing existential challenges. Our thoughts are with them and their families.
“With Sergei’s permission, we’ve added a Donate button to the Solo East Travel tour [on the Geotourist app]. It will take you straight through to the DEC and Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. If you are going to donate anyway, we ask that you consider doing so through the Solo East tour.”
Support Ukrainian tour company @soloeasttravel by listening to their tour remotely through the @geo_tourist#app and click through to #Donate to the #Ukraine#DEC#RedCrossAppeal – further info https://t.co/QYAT2kIAZzpic.twitter.com/AzfJutWwaY
— Geotourist (@geo_tourist) March 4, 2022
• easyJet has launched an onboard appeal in support of its charity partner Unicef to help children and their families affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
From Saturday (March 5), about 1.5 million easyJet customers flying across 35 countries will have the opportunity to donate onboard and support the collection.
Unicef is scaling up its response to provide access to basic services including clean water and sanitation supplies, healthcare, schooling and learning, mental health and psychosocial support, and emergency cash assistance.
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Intrepid Foundation launches Ukraine crisis appeal
Updated: Ponders Travel supports Red Cross Ukraine appeal
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