The Family Holiday Association (FHA) will provide more than 50 low-income Covid key workers and their families much-needed UK breaks thanks to the travel industry-led Give Them A Break fundraising campaign.
The campaign was launched in June last year by volunteers from across the industry keen to help provide holidays and discounts for key workers to honour their efforts during the Covid crisis.
Discount offers came in from several holiday brands and operators, including Intrepid Travel, Tui, Travel Republic and Teletext Holidays, while a public fundraiser raised more than £27,000.
The fundraising efforts will allow the FHA to provide much-needed UK breaks for more than 50 low-income key workers, it was confirmed this week after the campaign was handed over to the FHA.
"This has never been more important than over the past year when so many care assistants, delivery drivers and other key workers have been working flat out to keep the country running, but often don’t earn enough to take any kind of holiday," said Give Them A Break and the FHA in a statement.
FHA research has long highlighted the value of short breaks; 83% of families impacted by mental health issues says they have seen an improvement following a break.
Meanwhile, 62% of families says they do more together after a break than they did before; school attendance has also improved for 85% of families for whom this was an issue after a break.
Kat Lee, FHA chief executive, said the organisation was keen to keep the Give Them A Break campaign going to continue acknowledging the contribution made by key workers during the pandemic.
"We are delighted to be able to support key workers through the generous fundraising efforts of the volunteers behind the Give Them A Break campaign," said Lee.
"As the travel industry recovers, we look forward to working with them to help those who have given so much get a little bit back."
Give Them A Break founder Rachel McCaffery added: "The Give Them A Break volunteers and I feel privileged to have been able to support the FHA and provide holidays to families of key workers who made so many sacrifices last year.
"We are thankful to the travel brands who supported us, especially given the massive impact of the pandemic on the industry. The campaign achieved a lot in terms of galvanising the industry and raising awareness of the need for help."