Hays Travel agents step up to fundraise for local causes

Agents from Hays Travel branches have been stepping out across the country to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

 

The Bishop Auckland team raised more than £1,300 by walking further than the length of the Canadian Rockies during March.

 

The 13-strong team originally aimed to walk the 900 miles on an instore treadmill throughout March to raise money for the Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group – but surpassed their target and ended up covering 1,126 miles.

 

They raised £1,389 for the charity that supports people living with cancer, along with their loved ones and carers.

 

Assistant manager Rebecca Labron said: “We chose this charity, as cancer has affected us in many different ways.

 

“We really wanted to do something to help Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group as they offer so many services to people going through such a hard time. They offer free patient transport to hospital appointments, chemotherapy and radiotherapy bags, support groups, and breaks for patients and their families.

 

“They are currently being hit with the cost of fuel prices, as they rely on volunteer drivers for their ever-expanding transport service. By raising this money, we can make a real difference to the charity and help with some of their costs.”

 

• The Pocklington team in Yorkshire organised a quiz and raffle night to raise £1,000 for a charity that aims to tackle social isolation.

 

About 70 people attended the event at Pocklington Rugby Club, with the money raised going to Pocklington Rugby in the Community.

 

Pocklington travel consultant Katie Thompson said: “We decided to fundraise for Pocklington Rugby in the Community this year as they really are the heart of our community and help so many people.”

 

• Two agents from the Stowmarket team recently took part in a skydive and raised £1,025 for charity.

 

Amina and Tom jumped from 10,000 feet during their skydive at Beccles Airfield in Suffolk.

 

Tom raised £800 for Cancer Research and Amina, who stepped in to replace a colleague at short notice, raised £225 for The Mix, a youth work charity based in Stowmarket.

 

Amina said: “We both had an incredible experience, performed amazingly on the day, and would absolutely do it again. We both said it was genuinely one of the best experiences we’ve ever had.

 

“Both the charities we chose to support are very personal to us.”

 

• Claire Helm from the Bolton branch took part in the 10k Run for Nature, which started at Chester Zoo before heading out on the country lanes.

 

She completed the run in one hour 20 minutes – a personal best – and helped raise funds to protect some of the UK’s most at-risk wildlife.