Reuben’s Retreat starts fresh fundraising drive


Juliet Dennis


Reuben’s Retreat is to start fundraising to support the final two stages of building work to create family accommodation at its base on the edge of the Peak District. The charity recently passed the


£6 million mark in funds raised to support families who have lost a child or whose children are living with medical complexities. It was set up on August 23, 2012,


by Nicola Graham, two days after the death of her toddler Reuben. Graham, who previously


worked in the travel industry, described the £6 million figure as an “incredible milestone”. The funds have been spent on


supporting nearly 2,000 individuals, as well as six phases of building work to convert a 19th-century cottage hospital in Glossop, near Manchester. The retreat includes a


bereavement counselling and support centre and a £1 million activity wing, complete with sensory movie room, playroom and hydrotherapy pool. The charity – which is currently


supporting more than 600 individuals – is now focused on raising funds to support the creation of four self-catering suites and a studio apartment for families.


£6m


Funds raised so far by Reuben’s Retreat


The accessible accommodation


will allow families to enjoy holidays at the retreat. The work is expected to cost “in the millions”, with an exact target set to be finalised in the next few months. Tickets have already gone on


sale for one of the charity’s key fundraising events next year, the REUBall, on July 13, 2024.


P&O Cruises curtails passengers’ holidays after Britannia incident


More than 200 passengers had their holidays cut short this week after P&O Cruises’ Britannia struck an oil tanker. The ship broke free from moorings during a storm in Majorca on Sunday. P&O Cruises said damage to a lifeboat meant 231 passengers had to be returned to Southampton or their port of embarkation.


8 31 AUGUST 2023


The 19th-century building; inset: Reuben Graham


Graham said: “We still have a long


way to go and, as we celebrate 11 years of operation, 2023 is a pivotal year.” Reuben’s Retreat has also


appointed former senior travel industry executive and children’s hospice boss David Robinson, initially as a paid consultant, to work on its future strategy. Robinson was product and


aviation director for scheduled business at Thomas Cook, and prior to that, worked for Gold Medal. Before retiring last year, he was chief executive of Derian House


Children’s Hospice in Lancashire. i To donate, go to reubensretreat.org


Graeme Brett


Westoe scores after featuring in NUFC TV documentary


South Shields agency Westoe Travel has already had promises of new bookings after briefly appearing in a documentary following Newcastle United Football Club during the 2022-23 season. The TV show, We are Newcastle


United, launched on Amazon Prime last week. The agency was sworn to


secrecy after agreeing to a day’s filming at its shop about 10 days before the club played Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, in February. Westoe Travel sold hotel and


rail packages to London to football fans attending the final, through its Rail Adventures tour operator. Agency director Graeme Brett


said: “We got messages the next day from customers saying they had seen the film. We also received two emails from Newcastle supporters living in the south of England, saying they had seen it and wanted to book their next trip with us.” Brett said the documentary


had given Westoe Travel “a load of free publicity”.


Tui offers Antalya as all-year destination in UK for first time


Tui will start selling Antalya as a year-round destination for the UK market from this winter. The operator, which already offers Antalya winter breaks to German customers, said Turkey is one of its most popular destinations, visited by


1.9 million customers from all markets in 2022. iWinter Sun: Destinations, page 26


Baldwins Travel expands to nine stores with Haywards Heath shop


Baldwins Travel has chosen Haywards Heath in West Sussex as the location for its ninth store. Managing director Nick Marks said he was “thrilled” about the new shop, which is due to open in mid-to-late September. The agency’s first six branches were in Kent, but it expanded into Sussex with sites in Lewes and Uckfield.


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