The appeal, which sees all proceeds donated to the British Red Cross, was launched last week in a bid to provide urgent funds for the millions of refugees forced to leave their homes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
TTG Media kicked off the campaign with a £5,000 donation, alongside a pledge to pay a percentage of its monthly profits between March and December 2022 to the campaign. Since then, travel agents, ITT board members – and even a lord – have come forward to donate to the appeal.
The annual Geordie Ball raised almost £800 alone, while a number of attendees also donated bags packed with essentials, which Silversea regional manager for north-east England Julie Nunes has organised to be delivered to her local Polish centre.
Nunes, who also helped collect donations for the TTG Ukraine Crisis Appeal, said the generosity of the travel trade had been “overwhelming”.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE TTG UKRAINE CRISIS APPEAL
Meanwhile, a number of industry figures have also donated to the appeal after the Institute of Travel and Tourism publicised the appeal during its ITT Odyssey Supper last week, including Lord Snape of Wednesbury, who hosted the meal. The total raised now stands at £6,903.
The Travel Network Group also organised a bake sale in their offices as well as a "Break the Rules Day" and asked colleagues to make a donation, which the company matched leading to a £400 contribution to the appeal.
The TTG Ukraine Crisis Appeal will also be the charity of the night at the TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies event in Birmingham on 24 March.
Daniel Pearce, CEO of TTG Media, thanked the industry for its generosity and urged others to unite in support of the campaign. “The TTG Media team has been appalled by the tragic situation in the Ukraine and are desperate to do something to help.
“A free and open travel industry has always been a driver of democracy across the globe. TTG Media is urging all travel firms in the UK and Ireland to support this campaign in any way you can.”
The Red Cross is distributing the funds to support those most affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. All donations will be used to reach people in urgent need. Efforts include:
- Providing food, first aid, clean water, shelter support, warm clothing, hygiene parcels and medicines;
- Supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities;
- Supporting firefighters and civil protection units;
- Training people in life-saving first aid;
- Helping families stay in contact with each other;
- Educating people on the risks of explosives;
- Repairing vital infrastructure; and
- Helping to repair homes, healthcare centres, schools and community centres
