The event, due to be held in Belfast next month, is in aid of Aundrea Bannatyne, a cluster manager for Cook’s Bangor and Newtownards stores in Northern Ireland, who needs to raise £100,000 for treatment which could help prolong her life after doctors gave her up to a year to live.
So far, a group of friends, colleagues and well-wishers known as #Aundreasarmy have collected more than £26,000 via a Go Fund Me page towards the treatment for the mum-of-two which is only available in London.
The 42-year-old, who has worked at Thomas Cook for 21 years, is the second member of her family to suffer from cancer – after her son James survived a medulloblastoma brain tumour eight years ago.
Organising the upcoming night is Beachcomber Tours’ regional sales manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland Martin Maclaren, who met Bannatyne working through the trade six years ago with the pair fast becoming “the closest of friends”.
“She has devoted her life over the last few years to children’s cancer charities after what James went through and she would do anything for anyone. For this to happen to her now after what her family has been through is just heart-breaking,” he said.
“I know the term gets used a lot but she really is the salt of the earth and is as mad as a hatter. She’s loved by her colleagues and so many people in the industry.”
“The evening is all about everyone coming together to do as much as they can for Aundrea. The money raised so far is incredible in such a short time and hopefully we can really up the ante on the night.”
“It’s all about getting Aundrea’s story out there so agents from across the UK can get behind her and we can raise as much as we can,” he added.
Maclaren is aiming to raise £12,000 from the event, which will be held at the Stormont Hotel on September 1.
It will be sponsored by a host of travel businesses including Travel 2, Gold Medal, Princess Cruises and Wendy Wu Tours and will include an auction of Etihad, Emirates and British Airways flights.
Tickets are priced at £35pp and can be purchased through Maclaren.
Aundrea’s Go Fund Me page can be found here
