Two Protected Travel Shop branches in Lancashire will be supporting scores of families this Christmas to give back to the community for its support during a “tough year”.
The Cleveleys and Fleetwood branches – former World Travel Lounge stores – collected more than 10 boxes of gifts, toys and food for The Salvation Army, which supports 2,500 families in the local area.
The shops were taken over from Book in Style in January by Protected Travel Services, the sister brand of Protected Trust Services. WTL Travel Services, which employed the shop staff, went into liquidation in March owing agency workers £127,000.
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In October Protected Travel Shop sales and operations manager Jo Holloway tasked the shops to come up with an idea to support the local community or a charity for Christmas.
“After a tough year and the support we had from our own customers and communities, I thought it was important to give something back,” she said.
“Our Cleveleys manager asked if they could support The Salvation Army; she loved the fact they were helping all ages with their gift appeal.”
From November 1, the teams worked on promoting the Christmas Present Appeal with posters, Facebook posts and in store. Within four days the Cleveleys shop had filled two boxes with gifts and toys.
Cleveleys branch manager Carly Cooper said: “It was really emotional seeing the local community helping so much, even during these difficult times, not just our regular customers but passers-by too.”
In total, the two branches donated more than seven boxes of presents, including toys, toiletries and a brand-new hairdryer, and more than three boxes for the organisation’s food bank.
The Salvation Army said the agency’s donations would “provide many children living in poverty with something to open on Christmas Day and not be forgotten by Santa”.
The third Protected Travel Shop branch, based in Leyland, opted to continue its support for Derian House children’s hospice.