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Cassie’s family plans fundraiser in her memory
Juliet Dennis
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
The family of murdered Tui travel agent Cassie Hayes has revealed plans for a fundraising day in her memory and thanked the trade for support since her death seven months ago.
Cassie, assistant manager at
Tui in Southport, Merseyside, was killed by Andrew Burke, her girlfriend’s ex-partner, at work on January 13. He was jailed for a minimum of 26 years. Mum Tracy and sister Nadine paid tribute to Cassie this week, saying she “would have wanted us to keep smiling and crack on”. Attending a London dinner
hosted by Abta LifeLine, the charity that paid for Cassie’s funeral and “after-party”, they remembered Cassie as a “massive personality” who would “light up a room”. Nadine said: “The loss of Cassie has left a large hole in our lives [but] we are so grateful for how we have been looked after.
Cassie Hayes’ mum Tracy and sister Nadine; inset, Cassie
“Cassie loved life and we were so
proud of her in her job role. Abta LifeLine helped us at such a difficult time. There are not enough words to express how grateful we are to her friends and our Tui ‘family’.” Tracy added: “We call them
[staff at Tui Southport] Cassie’s Army because they have been so supportive. We knew she was loved, but didn’t realise how much.” The family is planning a
fundraiser a year after the 28-year- old’s death to support charities including Abta LifeLine, Victim Support and Cancer Research. The event will also be in memory of Cassie’s dad, who died 14 years ago. Tracy said Cassie had always
wanted to be a travel agent, joining Tui’s Alnwick branch as an apprentice aged 18. She said: “I can’t remember her talking about anything else.” After her death, the family was
consulted by Tui about the shop’s redesign. An advice desk now sits where Cassie’s desk was and every week staff put fresh flowers there in her memory.
Ken Garrity as Alvin Stardust...
...and as provost mayor of Altrincham
Ken rocks it as his town’s mayor
Amie Keeley
amie.keeley@
travelweekly.co.uk
Travel agent Ken Garrity recently transformed from leather-clad glam rocker into robe and chains-wearing mayor – all in a matter of days.
The Greater Manchester-based
agent dressed as Alvin Stardust for Travel Weekly’s 80s fancy dress-
themed Northern Ball, before changing costumes to be named provost mayor of Altrincham. The ceremonial role, which
dates back to 1290, was awarded to Garrity, who runs Ken Garrity Travel from home, in recognition of his long-standing charity work. Since 1981, when Stardust’s
Pretend peaked at number four in the charts, Garrity has raised funds for causes ranging from homeless- ness to medical equipment. His new role comes with varied
responsibilities, from turning on the Christmas lights to tasting ale. Garrity was made a member of Altrincham Court Leet, a ceremonial and historic civic group made up of residents, about
18 months ago. In that time he has held a number of roles, including court bailiff and chief constable. “The court asked me if I’d
like to become provost mayor, and I thought no more about it,” said Garrity.
“Then, not long after, we had a court meeting to announce the new mayor. Three of us were put forward and the old provost came over and put his hand on my shoulder to select me. “Before I knew it I was
wearing 100-year-old robes and white gloves!”
Members of Altrincham Court Leet meet to debate local issues, organise events, promote Altrincham – a market town in Greater Manchester – and raise money for charitable causes. Garrity, a long-haul specialist,
celebrated 50 years as a travel agent this year having started out when he was 17. Asked how he would fit in his new mayoral duties with the day job, he said: “I never take a holiday and I have a lot of people helping with all the charity work and I couldn’t do it without them.”
27 September 2018
travelweekly.co.uk 5 3 STORIES HOT
PICTURE: AGSTUDIOS
PICTURE: STEVE DUNLOP
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