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Don’t miss the boat – Abta LifeLine’s Big Charity Week is just around the corner. Abigail Challenor learns more about what’s in store and the aquatic theme
The TTG team is sending out a rallying cry for support ahead of Big Charity Week – arguably the biggest event in Abta LifeLine’s annual fundraising calendar.
Last year saw all manner of travel companies getting involved, making and flying their own paper planes or taking part in other fundraising activities, all in aid of raising money for those in the industry who have fallen on tough times.
This year Abta LifeLine challenges you to Float your Boat for LifeLine, crafting, decorating and sailing a paper boat for the occasion, which takes place March 7-11. Whether it’s a river, a lake, a puddle, a paddling pool or even the kitchen sink, the charity wants to see boats of all shapes and sizes floating everywhere. Those who want to do something different can also choose an event from Abta’s online A-Z of fundraising ideas. There are fun concepts, both big and small, ranging from exercise bike-a-thons to jazziest jumper days and salsa evenings.
Gain inspiration at abtalifeline.org.uk/bigcharityweek
A number of travel businesses have come up with exciting ideas for raising funds. So far companies including Kuoni, Midcounties Co-operative, Clia, Celebrity Cruises, Shearings and Funway Holidays have all pledged their support.
Funway has gotten into the aquatic spirit of Big Charity Week and pledged to host The Great Funway Float, where employees will race their American-themed paper vessels across a paddling pool. The company will also host a nautical-themed fancy dress party, complete with “pin the sail on the boat” and home-baked goodies up for sale.
The Midcounties Co-operative plans to combine floating their boats with a nautical-themed day including dressing up, a “bake a boat cake” competition and a ship-shape themed buffet.
Meanwhile, Shearings employees’ will test their balance, competing in water-based games on a Wii console.
Clia is encouraging its members to get involved with a special Clia boat template. Whoever produces the best-looking vessel will win a ticket to the Clia River Conference, Discovery Expo or Luxury Expo.
Celebrity Cruises will be making its own branded paper boats which its on-the-road team will take out with them on sales calls to agents.
Last year Abta LifeLine raised £5,000 from the week’s events and this year it is setting its sights even higher, but the charity needs your help.
Abta LifeLine’s director, Trudie Drake, says: “Your generous donations go towards changing the lives of individuals and families in our industry. Take Cam. The son of a former Lunn Poly agent, he is 14 and has Duchenne muscular dystrophy [a rare condition that results in muscle degeneration]. Abta LifeLine contributed to the cost of a special power wheelchair, which is a key part of Cam’s medical care and a way for him to have an independent life.
We are also thrilled to report that after hitting our target at the Abta 2015 Travel Convention, baby Charlie – the son of a former Crystal Cruises and Bourne Leisure employee – and his family were able to move into a safe and suitable property, allowing for round-the-clock medical care for Charlie’s rare condition of bilateral vocal cord palsy [which results in the paralysis of the vocal cords]. To find out more about Cam and Charlie’s stories visit abtalifeline.org.uk
Get involved #BigCharityWeekTo be in with a chance of winning, Abta LifeLine wants to see your designs and voyages on Twitter or Facebook, so hop aboard and motor on with LifeLine. The competition will be judged by TTG Media, Abta LifeLine and Celebrity Cruises’ Jo Rzymowska. |
Get involved in Big Charity Week by embracing your crafty side and creating a huge social media buzz!
Step 1
Build a paper boat of your choice or download a template from abtalifeline.org.uk/bigcharityweek
Step 2
Glitz it up – colour it in, stick glitter on, paint it or even cover it in stickers – make your boat as original as possible for the best chance of winning the prize.
Step 3
Release it on to the water. It might be your local pond or it could even be your bathroom sink. Film it and tweet @abtalifeline @ttgmedia
Step 4
Make a small donation to Abta LifeLine (text ALCW16 £3 to 70070 or donate securely online at justgiving.com/abta)
Step 5
Challenge your friends and colleagues to get involved too – the more boats floating, the more money raised for people in the industry who need it most. Rally your company to take part too – you could even host an internal competition to see whose boat floats the furthest or fastest.
There are some fantastic goodies up for grabs for best boats:
Top prize
A Taste of Modern Luxury Cruise for two in a balcony stateroom with Celebrity Cruises from Southampton to Paris. The lucky winner will be able to explore the sights of the French capital and relax in the luxurious surrounds of Celebrity Eclipse.
Runner-up prize
A £200 Kuoni voucher.
