Director Trudie Clements confirmed the award to TTG on Tuesday (7 April) after getting the go-ahead late last week.

Clements said the money would be used to support those in the travel sector experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will fund food vouchers for those in immediate need; help travel professionals access financial management advice on debt, budgeting and benefits through LifeLine partner Citizens Advice Manchester; and help them access mental health support through another LifeLine partner, The Centre for Crisis Psychology.

After discussing the grant with trustees, Clements said LifeLine would prioritise those working, or who have worked, for Abta members, that:

• have been made redundant;
• are recently self-employed and as a result cannot benefit from the government’s self-employment income support scheme;
• or are self-employed but can’t claim from the self-employment income support scheme until June

Clements confirmed the conditions didn’t preclude other from applying for support, but stressed priority would be given to those falling into the categories set out by the charity’s trustees.

Applications for mental health support will not be means tested, although applicants will still have to fill out a form – foregoing any information on finances.

“I am hoping that with these funds, we will be able to make a difference to those really struggling,” said Clements.

Anyone considering making an application should visit LifeLine’s Coronavirus Support page and fill out the online application form.

You can find out more about what Abta LifeLine is doing to support travel professionals during the coronavirus crisis via TTG’s Coronavirus Business Support Service.

LifeLine, meanwhile, has redoubled its fundraising efforts to allow it to extend its support to more people working in the travel sector.

It has launched a new Travel People United appeal on JustGiving, which encourages those fortunate enough to still be in work, or have sufficient means, to “donate the cost of one day at work”; this could be the cost of a train ticket, their lunch, or just a cup of coffee.

LifeLine is also urging travel professionals to come together in any way possible during the coronavirus lockdown to host virtual fundraising events.

“Anything people can do to help us would be amazing,” said Clements. “We want travel to unite to help our people.”