The ABTA Benevolent Fund and the Family Holiday Association have joined forces to ask for support at The Travel Convention in Barcelona. The ABTA Benevolent Fund is ABTA’s very own charity, and was established 20 years ago to help colleagues who are currently, or previously employed by an ABTA member, who through no fault of their own, have fallen on hard times and are in need of help. To date the Fund has awarded grants and loans totalling some £500,000.

The Family Holiday Association is a UK-wide charity that gives disadvantaged children the chance to enjoy a much-needed family break, usually in a caravan by the sea. All of the families the charity helps are coping with difficult circumstances, such as bereavement, poverty, family break-up, domestic violence or chronic illness. Most of the families helped have never had a break away together before. There will be two main fundraising events at The Travel Convention on Wednesday 7th October.

Fun Run: All those attending the Travel Convention in Barcelona in October are being encouraged to take part in the annual 3k Fun Run. The Fun Run, which is organised by Argyle Recruitment and Barcelona Turisme, and sponsored by Vertical Group and Arnold Fisher Insurance Services, is being held after sessions on 7th of October at 1730. Entry for the fun run is £20 per person or £50 for a team of three. Runners will be treated to refreshments and prize-giving at a post-race reception hosted by Barcelona Turisme.

Fantastic Prize Draw: For a chance to win a fabulous two week Mediterranean cruise worth £3500 - £4000 with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, delegates must attend the Barcelona Host Party on Wednesday 7th October and place a minimum of £10- or €10 into a charity envelope on their dinner table – or use more envelopes if they want to increase their chances of winning! John McEwan, ABTA Chairman, will draw the winner at the end of the evening. The prize draw is kindly sponsored by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Arnold Fisher Insurance Services.

Joe Hipgrave, Family Holiday Association Fundraising Manager said “We are delighted to be working with the ABTA Benevolent Fund at this year’s Convention.  The Fun Run and the Charity Prize Draw will be helping some severely disadvantaged UK families to have their first ever break away from home.” 

Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s Chief Executive said “We urge all delegates to register for the Fun Run and enter for the fabulous prize draw to help raise funds for two very worthy charities; the Family Holiday Association and our own charity, the ABTA Benevolent Fund.  ABTA-Ben does wonderful work providing practical and financial help to those of our colleagues who have fallen on difficult times and are unable to work through prolonged illness, accident, redundancy or forced retirement.  ABTA BEN has helped many; with your support it can help many more.”