NEWS SPECIAL REPORT


Travel Weekly and Abta LifeLine join forces for TravelCares appeal


Campaign seeks donations to support those in the industry affected by the Covid-19 pandemic T


ravel Weekly and Abta LifeLine have teamed up to launch a charity appeal to support those in the


travel industry whose lives have been adversely impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The TravelCares campaign will


raise essential funds to enable Abta LifeLine to help those who have lost their jobs or are facing other hardships as a result of the pandemic. Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of


Travel Weekly, said: “The impact of the Covid-19 crisis has been devastating for our industry, and it is clear that without more support from government, many more lives will be affected. “Travel Weekly has been a


long-standing supporter of Abta LifeLine’s work, and we are calling on all our readers to support the TravelCares campaign and do what we can to help those industry friends and colleagues whose lives and


livelihoods have been worst-affected.” Trudie Clements, director of Abta


LifeLine, said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Travel Weekly to bring you our TravelCares appeal. “It has never been more important for our industry to come together and support travel colleagues


struggling because of Covid-19.” She added: “Many valued


colleagues have already lost their jobs. And we know it will be tough for many more over the weeks and months to come. We would like to encourage all those that can to get behind our appeal to help raise the vital funds we need to provide the support our people need right now. Let’s show them that TravelCares.” Alistair Rowland, Abta chairman


and an Abta LifeLine trustee, said: “Travel is one large family, and right now we need to go beyond being competitors and support each other. “Great people are losing their


jobs, and those who haven’t need to help. Any size of donation is fine – let’s just support each other and get to the other side together.”


To donate, visit: justgiving.com/campaign/TravelCares


Nicola Taylor was made redundant on her one-year work anniversary at Westwood Travel, an agency in Alton, Hampshire, in March. She was told the devastating news by her


friend and agency owner Emma Westwood. Former sales consultant Nicola says:


“I’m 38 years old and I had never been made redundant before. My heart goes out to Emma – she was crying and in bits. “She said that she was struggling to


pay wages. I baby-sat her daughters when they were young.”


NICOLA’S STORY Nicola was allowed to stay at her desk


for the rest of that day so she could update her CV and LinkedIn profile. She says: “My first thoughts were ‘I’m a single mum, I need to temp’.” Nicola, who has a five-year-old son,


Freddie, is three months behind paying her rent. She says she faced “huge problems” applying for Universal Credit and struggled to get through to speak to anyone at first. “It has been very stressful and there have been a lot of sleepless nights,” she adds.


HOW YOUR DONATION CAN HELP


TravelCares welcomes donations of any size. Here’s how your money


can help: Q £50 will provide a family with an essential food shop.


Q £50 will pay for a colleague to go through Abta LifeLine’s redeployment scheme (to help until travel fully recovers and opportunities reopen).


Q £100 will give a claimant expert debt, benefit and housing advice.


Q £300 gives mental health support. But Abta 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.


Nicola reached out to Abta Lifeline


in April and the industry charity put her in touch with Citizens Advice and has sent her Tesco vouchers to help with her food bills. “I just felt that there was no way out,”


she says. “Without Abta LifeLine I don’t know what I would have done. “I lost the job I loved doing but I could


not afford to pay bills or afford to pay for food shopping. “Thanks to Abta LifeLine, I’ve been able to eat during lockdown.”


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20 AUGUST 2020


travelweekly.co.uk


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