Kilwinning’s Thorne Travel is marking its 10th anniversary with the launch of its own not-for-profit business.
The TTG Top 50 agency says it wants to give something back to the community that has been “fully supportive” over the past 10 years.
All About the Magic will aim to create memorable experiences for less fortunate families in Ayrshire.
Its first effort will be to give 40 families, highlighted by social services, a special Christmas dinner experience.
“Sometimes in life, everything suddenly changes and you find yourself in a situation where, for a period of time, you need to make tough choices,” owner Shona Thorne told TTG. “We want to help local families in these situations.”
The agency has supported several charities in recent years, but now wants to focus its efforts closer to home.
Alison Conn, managing director of the agency’s day trip business Thorne Travel Experience, will head up the new venture, and her ambition is to offer trips and experiences “at an even more affordable or totally subsidised price”.
“In my opinion, every family should be able to go and see Santa at Christmas, visit the zoo in the summer or just have a hot meal,” said Conn. “Unfortunately, this is not the case, and I would love – with the help of the community and local businesses – to change this.”
All donations to All About the Magic will go directly to providing families on the poverty line with “amazing experiences that will last a lifetime”. Thorne Travel will support these efforts with donations of time, equipment, money and gifts.
A £20 donation, said Conn, would provide a Christmas meal for a family of four, with leftovers for Boxing Day.
“We want to take them on a magical family experience to visit Santa, receive a gift and have a hot lunch before ending the day at the panto,” said Conn.
Donations can be made by various methods. For more details, please email alisonconn@thornetravel.com