Cook’s demise has left about 22,000 people – group-wide – without jobs, around 9,000 of whom were based in the UK across its retail operation, at its head office in Peterborough and at Manchester-based Thomas Cook Airlines.

“It is our goal to make sure we reach all those that need a lifeline during the challenging times in their lives,” said the Abta charity.

Addressing former Cook staff, the charity added: “Abta LifeLine is your charity, and we want to support you to the best of our ability through this trying time.”

Cook had long been a supporter of the charity, and in recent years transferred its own pensioners’ benevolent fund to Abta LifeLine.

The charity is offering redundancy support and other assistance to former Cook employees.

“No two cases are the same and so we evaluate each case individually and with care, providing them with the attention to detail that they may need,” said the charity.

It has also urged people in the travel sector to bring its support to the attention of former Cook employees who may be in need.

Cook staff should visit abtalifeline.org.uk for more details.