Charity Coach TripsHide
Over the year, many of our branches have travelled across the country taking their customers on coach trips to explore iconic cities. Here’s a rundown of what they got up to.
First up was our Consett branch. The staff and their lovely customers had a fantastic day in Whitby in September fundraising for Willowburn Hospice — a foundation close to everyone's hearts in the branch, and full of staff that are fantastic at what they do. The branch organised quizzes, games and raffles on board the coach to keep everyone entertained.
Team Consett were off on their travels again in December, this time on a festive trip to York’s Christmas markets, boosting funds for Willowburn Hospice even further reaching a grand total of £430.
Havant, who also took their customers on a mystery bus trip which ended in Brighton in September, successfully raised £630 for Rowans Hospice through kind donations and raffle tickets.
Team Wallsend has also been extremely busy lately, with three day trips in the space of three weeks, all to raise money for The Charlie Bear Cancer Appeal.
The team took customers to Edinburgh, Grassington Festival and York, together raising over £1500. After some sightseeing, they visited each town’s Christmas market to do a spot of shopping, held a raffle, and organised on-board bingo for everyone to enjoy.
Peterlee travelled to Leeds alongside their customers, raising funds for Epilepsy Research UK in aid of a young boy, Ollie, who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy — migrating epilepsy in infancy, with only 100 cases in the world. The branch successfully raised an amazing £633 for the charity.
Blandford recently organised a festive trip to Bath to enjoy the Christmas market all in aid of Teddy 20 — a charity based in Blandford, supporting children suffering with cancer. On arrival, everyone headed straight to explore the markets where over 170 chalets, packed full of Christmas gifts, lined the streets.
The team organised a raffle for the trip home, with two Christmas Hampers and a £100 Hays Travel voucher up for grabs, After an amazing day, the staff had raised a total of £500 for Teddy20.
Carrying on with the festivities, Gateshead took their customers for some retail therapy with a shopping trip to the Trafford Centre in Manchester to raise funds for Kibblesworth Village Millennium Centre, which provides space, services and activities for the local community. Overall, Team Gateshead managed to raise a fantastic £500 for the Millennium Centre.
Well done to the above branches for their fundraising efforts. All together they raised over £4400 for their chosen charities!
Posted: 18/12/2015
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Skydiving for CharityShow
Three brave, Hays Travel employees took part in sponsored skydives to raise money for two separate charities in south-west England.
Hays Travel Boscombe??s branch manager, Joe Field, and apprentice travel consultant, Chariece Jones, raised a fantastic £530 for the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital in Dorset. They took part in separate skydives on 10 October.
Joe said: ??It was a great experience. I was originally not going to get the company involved, but I was delighted when we made it a fundraising event and Chariece decided to take part!?
Hays Travel Boscombe??s chosen charity also owns and runs a hotel in Bournemouth for patients that are in the final stages of life. It offers a welcome retreat for those who need it.
Tom Holland, senior travel consultant at Hays Travel Westbourne, raised £320 for the Lewis-Manning Hospice after skydiving 15,000 feet on 6 September. He completed the tandem skydive in front of anxious colleagues following an hour-long training session.
Tom said: ??I??d always wanted to skydive, although everyone at the branch thought I was mad! I??m very happy with the amount raised and all the customer donations we received.?
This is the first time Hays Travel Westbourne has supported Lewis-Manning Hospice, although the branch is currently planning a team event to further support the cause. Tom is also hoping to participate in another extreme activity in aid of the charity next year.
Poole??s Lewis-Manning Hospice offers free, specialist, palliative care to approximately 700 local people every year.
Everyone at Hays Travel is extremely proud of all three skydivers.
Posted: 27/10/2015
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Cake and Coffee Create Cash for CharityShow
Twelve Hays and Bath Travel branches across the country pulled together to raise more than £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in September.
The total amount was reached after each store decided to take part in the charity??s annual coffee morning event, which involved lots of homemade cakes, biscuits and desserts created by the staff themselves.
Each store held its own sale in a bid to raise funds for the charity, with even some customers getting caught up in the frenzy and baking a selection of tasty sweet treats. Many stores also hosted fun raffles and games throughout the day, with donations from local businesses to give away as prizes.
Hays Travel Seaham, based in County Durham, raised more than £700 on the day, which was the greatest amount collected by any of the Hays and Bath Travel branches! The store hosted the event in honour of former colleague and travel consultant, Suzanne Elliot, who sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year.
Macmillan??s World??s Biggest Coffee Morning took place on Friday, 25th of September. It??s the charity??s largest fundraising event for people facing cancer, so everyone at the company is delighted with the final amount raised.
Posted: 13/10/2015
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Easter EggstravaganzaShow
Hays Travel, Wallsend, accompanied by the Easter bunny, visited Redesdale Primary School, where they spent the day, delivering Easter Eggs, playing games and even had a sing song, with the nursery children!
They donated £100 to the school from their Community Partnership fund to purchase equipment to help the children develop their skills.
Branch manager, Darren, said ??We love to help local schools and build that community spirit. We had a fantastic day and the kids were really happy to see the Easter bunny"
Posted: 29/05/2015
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Dementia friendlyShow
Last year, Hays Travel, Ashington used their Local Community Partnership budget to support The Dementia Action Alliance, because of their continuing support, Sophie from the society visited the branch to help them understand more about dementia.
The Dementia Action Alliance are aiming to make Ashington, as a town, more dementia friendly. The branch are fully backing this plan. They attend quarterly meetings, have placed a sticker in the window showing their support and all branch staff have access to a guide that informs them how to recognise and serve customers with the illness. The branch, alongside other local businesses, are hoping to help raise general awareness to help dementia sufferers within their local community.
Posted: 29/05/2015
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Middlesbrough branch support autism charityShow
Kelly and the team from Middlesbrough sponsored a coach for a local charity ?? MAIN ?? Taking Autism Personally. The charity supports children, teens and young adults with autism. The Middlesbrough team took families and members of staff from MAIN to Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo.
Kelly said: ??Before the trip I prepared bags for everyone on the coach and worked with a lady from the charity to compile goody bags- these included balloons, pens, privilege cards, currency wallets, business cards, sweets, drinks and wristbands advertising MAIN.
??One of the main obstacles that people with autism face is communication, and socialising with others. We travelled by coach to Flamingo Land, taking about an hour and a half, so I spent this time mingling with the children and teens on the bus, talking to them about their interests and what they were looking forward to in the day, hoping to build trust and get them to open up.
??Once in the park we spent time watching the children go on the rides and visit the zoo. Seeing them so happy, their faces alight with excitement, was priceless, and worth every penny spent on the cost of the coach.
??On the return journey every single person thanked me and told of how grateful they were, even some of the children who appeared really shy on the way there. I feel like we have built a fantastic relationship with this charity and hopefully this will continue to grow and we can continue to support them over the coming months and years.
??Autism is something very close to my heart as my little godson was diagnosed recently. I have done a lot of research into the condition, read a lot of books and I??m amazed at what these people endure and have to deal with every day.?
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Sedgefield Sponsers...Show
Hays Sedgefield branch sponsored the annual fundraising event for the Ellen Timney Foundation. Over 200 people attended the black tie event at Hardwick Hall Hotel, where they enjoyed a three course meal, dancing, an auction, casino and an open envelope draw.
Julie-Ann, Sedgefield Branch Manager, said: ??This was our 7th consecutive year supporting the event, I am delighted to say the charity is going from strength to strength, and once again the event raised almost £6500.
??It??s been a busy year for the foundation, earlier this year we held a charity race day at Sedgefield Racecourse, and a golf day at Ramside Hotel Durham. The foundation has been recognized by the northeast ladies guild and has gained an official charity status for which I was invited to be a trustee and commissioned a logo.
??The funds raised every year allows us to support sick and underprivileged children in the north east of England. This can be from supplying specialist equipment, iPads for learning disabilities or fairly simple needs such as a pair of football boots. Also as part of this we will be giving Christmas presents for over 400 children this year."
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Chester-Le-Street CharityShow
It??s been a busy old year when it comes to Community Partnership for our Chester-Le-Street branch, here is what Susan Cranston; branch manager has to say about it:
??When I joined Hays Travel a year ago, the words ??Community Partnership? scared me a little. It??s the first time I have ever actively been involved in my local community (apart from frequenting the local boozers) and I don??t think that??s what Paula and Madeline meant! But I am not frightened of a challenge, and as I am born and bred in Chester-Le-Street I thought the time was right to see what I could give back to the town where I live.
??My first step was to contact my local school, I chose Park View Comprehensive, a school that both myself and my children attended. Once I had established a contact we set about creating a programme of events for the school year; and what a year it has been!
??I became involved with the school??s ski trip to Austria and arranged for the kids to get their currency from our branch, during the presentation to parents and teachers I was able to hand out and explain the 10% off voucher. I also gave career talks to 8 tutor groups in year 7, this was an eventful afternoon but very enjoyable. At the end of the school year I attended the presentation night to present each year groups ??Student of the Year?? award. Finally I was involved with the career open day along with other major employees like Boots, TSB and Marks and Spencer.
??I now very firmly have a foot within the door and look forward to developing my relationship with the school over the next year. I may even broaden my horizons into our local primary school as well!
??Secondly I wanted to get the Hays logo onto a local football team. I chose Chester under 15??s who are in the Russell Foster League, a well-known league in the North East with many youngsters going on to bigger things. Chester under 15??s are a group of eager and ambitious teenagers who put their heart and soul into the game. At the end of the year I attended their presentation night at Chilton Country Club to present the Player of the Season award. My hubby came along with me as it was our wedding anniversary and we were going out for a meal afterwards!
??I believe that it??s not all about throwing money or vouchers at a cause but really taking the time to meet and talk to people to discover the other little ways we can help. This is how I got involved with ??Heal and Toe??, a charity for cerebral palsy and the ??If U Care Share Foundation??, a charity for teenage suicides which is special to me due to a friend of mine losing their son at 21 years of age. I have placed their collection tins within the branch next to the bureau for any loose change that customers can give and have so far filled three tins for ??Heal and Toe?? and one for ??If you Care Share??. I hope over the next year to work a little closer with both of these charities.
??And finally?..The last of my budget was given to a great cause which was highlighted to me through Paula. ??Erin??s Marathon Match?? in aid of children??s cancer based at the FA in Chester-Le-Street.?
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Food for thoughtShow
Paula Stockton, from the Commercial department in Head Office has been collecting food donations over the past month.
As you can see in the pictures below, everyone has been more than generous! Paula delivered the food to Street Care, which is based in St. Gabriel??s Church, Sunderland.
The staff at Street Care were over the moon with the donation and would like to thank everyone for their donations.
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Mystery Coach TripsShow
Mystery coach trips have proven a popular and fun way to use Community Partnership Funds. Have a read of Durham and Newton Aycliffe??s successful mystery trips.
Hays Travel Durham organised a Christmas Market shopping trip to York in late November and raised a whopping £865. This money was spent on buying Christmas gifts for the children in the Royal Victoria Infirmary cancer ward, as well as toys and games for the ward for future use.
The branch visited the ward on the 21st of December to present the gifts. The nurses, ward staff and children were touched and very thankful for the donations.
Hays Travel Newton Aycliffe took a group on a coach trip with a surprise destination ?? a very festive Harrogate. The coach dropped the group off at the Christmas Market just in time to see the opening ceremony where Santa was arriving on his sleigh.
Onboard the coach raffle tickets were sold and with prizes like a £100 Hays holiday voucher on offer, tickets sold like hot cakes!
The trip raised a fantastic £527, which was donated to Helping Hands and guests requested a repeat trip next Christmas!
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Amanda takes the sea by stormShow
Amanda Wrathmall, Forex Operations Administrator, took part in the annual Sunderland Boxing Day Dip. Amanda, along with 7 friends, including her 12 year old son, dressed as storm troopers and raced into the icy North Sea.
The group managed to raise over £700 for MacMillan Cancer, a cause close to Amanda??s heart. Amanda said: ??The event was great fun and something that I had always stupidly wanted to do!! My son couldn??t believe how cold it was!?
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Bath Travel fund raising for Ryan EdwardsShow
During 2014, many Bath Travel branches helped to raise a whopping £1949.68 for the Ryan Edwards Appeal for Neuroblastoma Children??s Cancer Alliance Charity. This massive amount of money was raised through Bath Travel branches collecting old, new and unwanted currency notes and coins before converting them into sterling.
Assistant Manager at Bath Travel Exeter, Jackie Chalk holds this cause particularly close to her heart, as she is Ryan??s aunty.
At the age of 2, Ryan was diagnosed with a rare children??s cancer, Neuroblastoma, he went on to have two rounds of treatment, but sadly relapsed. With no further treatment available in the UK, the only solution was for Ryan to go to Germany and undergo a Stem Cell Transplant, using cells donated from his mum.
With the support of the NCCA Charity, Ryan got the treatment and thanks to fund raising and generous donations, a massive £260, 000 was raised to cover the costs of Ryan??s treatments.
Thankfully, Ryan is now cured, he is 8 years old and almost in school full time, which he absolutely loves!
Jackie would like to thank everyone involved and give a special thank you to Rachel Dunn, from Bath Travel Exeter, for setting up and co-coordinating the fundraising idea.
Below Bath Travel, Exeter, present cheque to Jackie Chalk, Ryan??s Auntie. From left to right, Rachel Dunn, Andrew Reed, Leanne Lethbridge, Jenny Smith and Jackie Chalk.
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Chapletown take to the catwalkShow
Hays Travel, Chapletown organised a fashion show, in conjunction with Hallam FM in a local sports club. The tickets were priced at £5, and over 85 were sold. The branch organised a raffle, with prizes donated from local businesses.
In total, £637 was raised for Cash for Kids, which supports underprivileged children and the night was a huge success.
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Imogen's WishShow
Hays Travel, Peterlee organised a coach trip to Leeds to raise money for Imogens Wish. Imogens Wish is a fund set up to support Imogen, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, her wish is to walk unassisted and lead a relatively pain free life.
The two coaches took groups of people to Leeds, they enjoyed onboard entertainment, such as quizzes, bingo, and guess the name of the teddy. This coach trip raised £1200, which has gone towards Imogen??s post operation physiotherapy.
You can see the staff at Peterlee presenting Imogen the cheque, Imogen enjoyed her trip to the branch and was over the moon with the Mickey Mouse books she received.
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Sky Dive for Dream-A-WayShow
Eleven members of staff from Bath Travel Sidmouth, Budleigh Salteron, Teignmouth, Torquay, Newton Abbot and Honiton are gearing up to plunge 15,000ft from a plane.
The jump will take place on Saturday the 25th of April, at Dunkeswell Airfrield. The staff are hoping to raise a significant amount for the Dream-A-Way charity which is an Exeter based Charity which sends people on wonderful days out and on their dream holidays.
For one of the group this poses as a particularly daunting challenge, Rebecca Hancock, of Bath Travel Honiton only boarded her first flight in December, so its quite extreme going from a first time flyer to first time sky diver!
If you would like to donate please contact the branches or visit their justgiving pages
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Stanley attend charity ballShow
Hays Travel, Stanley donated a £100 holiday voucher to a charity ball at Derwent Manor.
The charity ball was held to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance, in memory of Derek Heslop, who tragically passed away after an accident at work. Derek??s family wanted to give something back to the Great North Ambulances to show their gratitude for the help they received. Natalie Cottom, Assistant Manager attended the event. It was a successful night, in total, the event raised over £5000 for the charity.
Posted: 16/04/2015
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Spennymoor Easter Egg CompetitonShow
Spennymoor sponsored the local school. Ox Close Easter Egg competition. Here are the kids with their eggs.
Posted: 13/06/2014
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Birtley branch help local goodie bagShow
The Birtley branch donated holiday vouchers to the raffle at Birtley Athletics Club??s Junior Challenge event, as well as attending and distributing goodie bags to the youngsters. 150 children took part and the club were able to offer the event free of charge due to the support of local business like Hays. The raffle itself raised over £200.
Posted: 13/06/2014
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Hougthon Beer FestivalShow
The Houghton branch supported their local beer festival, wearing t-shirts in the shop and attending the event. The whole event raised £6000 to be split between 2 local charities.
Posted: 13/06/2014
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HR team zipping from Wearmouth BridgeShow
Deborah Farmer, Helen Liddle and Claire Smith from the HR department are doing a Zip Wire from the Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland on 3rd May 2014 to raise money for the Grace House Appeal.
Helen said: ??We are ??zipping?? between 9.30 and 10.30am if anyone wants to show their support or have a laugh at our expense!?
Posted: 09/04/2014
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Fundraising hat-trickShow
Hays Travel has donated a £200 voucher to a charity night in aid of three poorly youngsters. The event at the Stadium of Light on August 2nd has been organised to raise money and highlight three different causes. They are Team George, the Bubble Foundation in aid of Finlay Kennedy and Bradley Lowery??s Fight.
Team George was set up to raise money to send four-year-old George Bertie Johnson to America, in the hope of diagnosing a gastro condition which means the youngster??s digestive system doesn??t work, and he has to be fed through his heart.
The Bubble Foundation, which is based at the Great North Children??s Hospital, at the RVI, Newcastle, conducts research into immunology. Its ongoing investigations have proved vital in helping two-year-old Finlay, who has an undiagnosed condition and has to have blood infusions to boost his immune system at home, every week.
Bradley Lowery??s Fight was set up to raise £500,000 to send two-year-old Bradley, who has the form of cancer neuroblastoma, to America for relapse treatment which is not available in the UK.
The fundraiser has been organised by Sunderland Echo reporter, Monica Turnbull.
Tickets for the charity event cost £25. Price includes a drinks reception, three course meal, silent auction, raffle and entertainment from X Factor contestant, Carolynne Poole. Prizes include the Hays holiday voucher as well as a bathroom suite and fitting, meal for six people cooked by a private chef, jewellery from Collinson??s Jewellers, signed Sunderland AFC merchandise and signed memorabilia from former England cricket player Tim Bresnan. There are also shopping vouchers, a hamper from Juniper??s Pantry and four cinema passes for Empire Cinemas Sunderland. A photo booth will be open on the night, and all money made from the photographs will be donated to the charities. If anyone would like to get involved, make a donation or buy tickets, visit www.bradleylowerysfight.org.uk/store. Alternatively, email monicaturnbull@hotmail.co.uk or call 07841 875 057.
Posted: 09/04/2014
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Fulwell branch help raise money for new goalposts at their local schoolShow
The Fulwell branch has been helping to raise money for new goalposts at their local school, Seaburn Dene Primary. The branch donated the top raffle prize of a family tour of the Stadium of Light. Adam in Year 3 won the prize! Here are the children on the fundraising day.
Posted: 09/04/2014
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Chapeltown branch sponsor local football stripsShow
The Chapeltown branch has sponsored new football strips for boys and girls at Ecclesfield School. The kit will be worn by the Year 7 teams, and has already proved to be a good luck omen as the Year 7 Boys won their first fixture in the new shirts ?? 5-0 against Bradfield School. Hopefully the kit remains a lucky one, as the boys look to complete the double by winning the league and the Sheffield Cup. Rebecca Holt from the branch said: ??It??s great to be able to give something back to the community. This builds on the work we have already done with the school by sponsoring awards. We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship and looking into other ways in which we can help.? The school??s Business and Community Engagement Manager, Sean Hollingworth, said: ??It??s fantastic that Hays Travel has been able to work with the school by donating prizes and equipment. We are very grateful for their generosity.?
Posted: 09/04/2014
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Sunderland AFC Keroche KenyaShow
Hays Travel has become a main sponsor of Sunderland AFC Keroche in Kenya ?? ??The Black Panthers??.
The Panthers are a football team in Kenya who play in a league and also run children??s academies. Their president, Gary Lamb, is a lifelong Sunderland fan from Seaham and 1973 FA Cup legend, Micky Horswill, is the club ambassador. Here are some pics of the team?
Posted: 05/02/2014
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Head Office Dress Down Friday Raises £170!Show
Here is our Training Apprentice, Elise (on the right), presenting a cheque for £170 to Elizabeth from the charity, Headways, to whom our Dress Down Friday collection money has been donated. Headways is a UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury. For more information about the work they do click here - https://www.headway.org.uk/about-us.aspx
Posted: 05/02/2014
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Washington branch raise £115 for local charityShow
The Washington branch held a raffle for their chosen charity, the Princess Zara??s Getaway fund, with the winner receiving a Christmas hamper. The winner, Sue Enright, is pictured here with Vikki from the branch. The raffle made £115 for the charity, which is aiming to raise £150,000 to pay for a luxury lodge at Hagaston Castle, which children undergoing treatment for primitive neuroectodermal tumours can visit.
Posted: 05/02/2014
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Wallsend branch raise money for the Charlie Bear Cancer AppealShow
Wallsend branch spent 2013 raising money for the Charlie Bear Cancer Appeal, which helps to purchase equipment for Cancer suffers in the North East. Manager, Darren, said: ??I feel incredibly proud of each and every one of my staff. They have all been involved in many events throughout the year, from cakes sales and raffles to coach trips and leg waxing, and together we have raised over £1000 towards the appeal.? Pauline Buglass, Head of Fundraising for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity said: ??Thank you to Hays Travel staff and customers for their enthusiastic support over the last twelve months for the Charlie Bear for Cancer Care Fund based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Charlie Bear helps to provide additional patient comforts and equipment enhancing the environment for North East Cancer patients.? For more information on Charlie Bear Cancer Appeal visit www.charliebearappeal.org.
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Amanda braves the North Sea this Christmas…Show
Amanda Wrathmall, from the Foreign Exchange Helpdesk team in head office, took part in the ??Boxing Day Dip?? and raised over £700 for Macmillan Cancer. Amanda chose to raise money for the charity as she has family members who have been affected by Cancer and have been provided with support from the Macmillan group.
Amanda took part in the fundraising event in 2012 for the same cause and will be taking part again in 2014, this time with her son, who will be old enough to join in. Amanda said that it is something she had wanted to do for many years but finally built up the courage last year and is not looking back! Despite the freezing cold North Sea, Amanda went for it and dunked herself right into the water rather than just paddling! Amanda and friends were the first in line at the parade which was lead by the Mayor of Sunderland and had claim to fame by featuring on the BBC news coverage!
Well done Amanda!
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Ashington branch raise £400 on a charity walkShow
Ashington branch raised £400 on the Eve Anderson charity walk, with all seven members of the team joining in and Rob dressed as Father Christmas! Sharon said: ??Rob was surrounded by all the children on the walk, who were wanting to know where his reindeer were and telling him whether they had been naughty or good!At the end Rob handed out selection boxes to the children who had finished the walk. Greggs had supplied refreshments for the walkers and also a carol singer. At the end of the day, Carly, who had organised the event, gave a very heart warming speech about Hays Travel, thanking us for giving up our time - and for inviting Father Christmas along even though he had such a busy timetable! We all went rather pink when the walkers applauded our efforts. It was fab getting involved with the community of Ashington and a good day was had by all.?
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Birtley sponsor their first International AthleteShow
Birtley branch has been one of the main sponsors of Birtley Athletic for the past few years now and were so proud to be able to sponsor their first International Athlete, Lydia Turner, who was selected to join Team GB for a competition in Belgrade. Karen went along to the club to present a cheque for £200 and to meet Lydia and the other young athletes. Birtley helped pay for Lydia??s coach and mother to join her in Belgrade where they won gold! Karen said: ??We are so proud of Lydia and look forward to seeing even more successful athletes come out of Birtley Athletic!?
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Chapeltown donate Christmas Hamper to local care homeShow
Chapeltown also donated a Christmas hamper and baked cakes for the Christmas fayre at Birch Avenue care home for people with Alzheimers and Dementia. Kelly and Amy from the branch attended the event. Well done Chapeltown!
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Chapeltown raise money for Cash For KidsShow
Chapeltown held a wine and mince pie day in December to raise money for the Cash for Kids appeal, run by Hallam FM radio station, which aimed to ensure that every child in the area could wake up with a present on Christmas morning. The branch invited all of their customers along and held a raffle to raise money. Here are the team pictured with bags full of donated presents.
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Houghton branch help with local school' s Christmas FayreShow
Houghton branch donated a gift voucher for the raffle at Bernard Gilpin Primary School??s Christmas fayre. Vanessa went along on the day to present the voucher and is pictured here with excited staff and children from the school.
Posted: 08/01/2014
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Washington branch help raise money for local football teamShow
Julia from the Washington branch completed a sponsored walk with Washington Junior Pumas Football team to help raise money for the boys to play in a tournament in Holland next year. The branch paid for the Hays Travel logo to be printed on the strips which were worn for the walk and also sponsored the boys £100. Here??s Julia with the team.
Posted: 05/12/2013
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Shildon branch sponsored the Young People’s Awards Show
The Shildon branch sponsored the Young People??s Awards on the 13th November at Shildon Civic Hall. The event is organised to thank young people from the Shildon area for their contribution to society. Shildon??s manager, Rachel, said: ??Day after day young people make a contribution to our society and quite often it goes unnoticed, so the award ceremony is to say thank you and award these young people. The night was a very special event. 200 people attended and there were six awards with all schools in Shildon involved - the award winners receiving a glass trophy engraved with the Hays logo. All the branch staff attended and as well as enjoying the entertainment and mingling with pupils and their parents, we gave out goodie bags which included promotional material and offer flyers. We then presented the Young People??s Choice Award. Since the award evening we have had customers in who do not normally book with us but saw us at the awards so we feel the evening was a huge success.?
Well done Shildon.
Posted: 05/12/2013
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Pickering sponsor a family firework extravaganzaShow
The Pickering branch sponsored a family firework extravaganza at Norton College this November, which helped to raise money for the local Hope Centre. Pictured here are Nick Abbey and Nicola Barr with Andy Boxall from the charity.
Posted: 05/12/2013
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Shildon raise £360 for charity by walking on fire!Show
Elaine from the Shildon branch has taken part in a ??Fire Walk?? to raise money for the branch??s sponsored charity, Butterwick Hospice. The rest of the team attended the event at Hardwick Hall on Friday 8th November to cheer Elaine along. After a two hour motivational talk, Elaine walked along 20 foot of hot coals, which reached a temperature of 1200 degrees! Elaine raised £360 for the charity by walking on fire! Well done Elaine.
Posted: 05/12/2013
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Sedgefield branch sponsored the annual fundraising event for the Ellen Timney FoundationShow
Sedgefield branch sponsored the annual fundraising event for the Ellen Timney Foundation. Over 220 people attended the black tie event at Hardwick Hall Hotel, where they enjoyed a three course meal, dancing, an auction and an open envelope draw, for which Hays Travel was the main sponsor. The event raised an impressive £8000. The branch also supported a golf tournament in the summer which raised £7500 for the same charity, which means that they can continue to support sick and underprivileged children in the north east. The foundation has a Facebook page which you can ??like?? to help spread awareness.
Posted: 05/12/2013
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Spennymoor help a primary school set up their own ‘travel agency’Show
Spennymoor also had a visit from pupils of Dean Bank School in Ferryhill, who are setting up their own ??travel agency?? and wanted to come and visit the branch to see how a real one works. They were shown around the office and got to see how a holiday is booked and what a bureau de change is like, before the chance for a Q&A with staff. They all went away with a Hays bag full of brochures that they can use in their school agency. In total there was around 50 children that came into the office in groups of 10. Here is Lorraine with some of the children.
Posted: 24/10/2013
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Sedgefield, Durham and Chester sponsor a local girls football teamShow
Sedgefield, Durham and Chester branches all contributed to the sponsorship of strips for the under 12?s all girls football team, The Cestria Girls. The team play across the north east and are yet to be defeated? Haway the lasses!
Posted: 24/10/2013
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Peterlee arrange York trip for the locals & raise £750 for charity!Show
Peterlee arranged a coach trip to York for the Food and Drink Festival. Helen organised the coach through Durham City Coaches and after advertising it in the shop window and ringing around regulars it was filled very quickly. Local companies donated raffle prizes including day trips and meal vouchers. Once on board the girls arranged the raffle, a ??name the teddy?? bingo and even a quiz. Overall they managed to raise £750 for the Bradley Lowery Trust Fund. helen said: ??All the staff worked really hard to make this event happen and we are very proud of the amount we have managed to raise for such a worthy cause!?
Posted: 24/10/2013
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Spennymoor help their local girl guides raise £600Show
The Spennymoor branch went along to help out their local Brownies, Guides and Rainbows to raise funds for their Summer Camping Trip, as some of the children did not have the money to go and new tents were needed.There was a Hays Travel tombola stall, raising over £70, plus the branch donated a £25 voucher for the raffle. In total, £600 was raised, which meant that all the children could go on the camping trip and they could buy a good few new tents.
Posted: 24/10/2013
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Ashington raise money for local girl with a sponsored sky dive!Show
The Ashington branch has been raising money for 10 year old, Eve Anderson, a little girl in the local area suffering from Locked In Syndrome.
Sharon said: ??After hearing Eve??s story, which also featured on the TV programme, This Morning, we decided that we really wanted to help the family out by raising as much cash as possible. The team got together and we came up with some ideas, which included a book sale, Sarah??s sponsored skydive and a mystery bus trip to Edinburgh. For this, we asked local businesses for donations and vouchers that we could include as raffle prizes on the bus. We also played domino cards, had a quiz, a game of bingo and a brownie bake sale. Not only did this prove to be a great day out for all of us (mainly because the OAP??s decided it was ??gin o??clock? at 10:30am!) but it also proved to be a huge success, raising £1200 for the charity.?
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Spennymoor branch support their local school's 100% attendance awardsShow
Spennymoor branch went along to the ??100% attendance awards?? at their adopted school, Ox Close. This year 20 children at the school had 100% attendance and each child was given a £5 voucher plus a certificate of achievement.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Sunderland branch sponsor the Headway Wearside Brain Injury Association Summer BBQShow
The Sunderland branch sponsored the Headway Wearside Brain Injury Association Summer BBQ. Headway Wearside is a charity which aims to support brain injury survivors and their families by means of social activities, days out and essential information in order to improve the quality of lives.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Houghton branch sponsor their local Ladies Open Golf EventShow
The Houghton branch sponsored their local Ladies Open Golf Event with Harriet and Ainsley attending on the day. The girls were there with a Hays banner at the first tee and then for the presentation afterwards.
Debbie said: ??We have a great rapport with the golf club and the event was a great success as we have had a lot of bookings from the golf club. They really appreciate our support and we will be sending over regular offers for their notice board.?
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Billingham support charity football teamShow
Billingham has this year supported the ??Jo & Mya Memorial Fund??, sponsoring a charity football team who played against the ??Once Upon a Smile?? charity team, which consisted of soap stars from both Waterloo Road and Emmerdale. The match took place in Billingham at the Synthonia football ground on Sunday 28th July and sold over 750 tickets, with a further 1500 at the entrance gate.
Ray said: ??It was a great day and all the team from the Billingham branch attended.
??The memorial fund for Jo & Mya was set up after a tragic accident. One day in summer 2010, Ian Richardson, his wife Joanne and two daughters, Mya and Ava, were travelling back from a family wedding in Scotland when just 30 miles from their home in Teesside their family car was hit head on by another motorist heading the wrong way on the A1. Joanne was killed instantly, Ian and Mya sustained massive injuries, whilst Ava remarkably escaped unscathed. Mya sadly died in her father??s arms in hospital 16 hours later. Ian has since set up this charity with every penny raised going directly to help children in need. We at Billingham were proud to be part of this and could not have done it without Hays Travel??s commitment to looking after the local community.?
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Pickering branch help create activity areas for local residentsShow
The Pickering branch has sponsored the Newbridge Park Project, where they are renovating a disused quarry and woodland space in Pickering to create activity areas for local residents. So far they have built Pickering??s only mountain bike skills park and cross-country track, launched a relaxing woodland family picnic area and made footpath improvements for walkers. This has all been made possible by committed local volunteers and fundraising by local businesses, as well as Sport England and Yorkshire Forward. Pictured here are Sam, Nick, Megan and Katherine with the Newbridge Park team.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Wallsend branch raise money for the Charlie Bear Cancer AppealShow
The Wallsend branch held a sponsored wax to raise money for the Charlie Bear Cancer Appeal which raised almost £300. The branch have a target to raise £1000 for the charty by the end of the year. Here are Brain and Nathan enduring a waxing for a good cause!
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Stanley branch donate £150 to Athletic Club to purchase new equipmentShow
Stanley branch has donated £150 to Stanley Athletic Club so that they can purchase new equipment.
The club helps children in the Derwentside area who are disabled or have learning difficulties to enjoy athletics. Cassie from the Stanley branch used to coach there which is why they chose to get involved.
Here is Cassie with the club organisers.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Sedgefield branch sponsor a presentation evening for Community Sports CollegeShow
300 guests gathered at Hardwick Hall Hotel for the 15th annual Sedgefield Community Sports College presentation evening sponsored by Hays Travel.
The evening was attended by Sedgefield manager, Julie Ann, as well as foreign exchange sales consultant, Sharon Clark. Special guest speaker at the event was paralympian, Stephen Miller, who boasts three Paralympic gold medals, a silver and a bronze, having climbed the podium at every Games since 1996. Stephen is also a three-time world and European champion and former world record holder and also won the club throwing gold at the 2012 European Championships.
All monies raised during the evening by a raffle and sports memorabilia auction were donated to the North East Sunshine Fund of which Stephen is the VIP patron. The evening concluded with the awards for Hays Travel Sports Personality of the Year 2013 to Miss Rebecca Hocke and Mr Calum Johnston.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Houghton branch support their local beer festival Show
The Houghton branch has supported the local beer festival for the second year running, selling tickets and sponsoring a barrell of beer! The Hays logo was emblazoned on all of the tickets as well as the festival website. Branch manager, Debbie, went along to the event and is pictured here, beer in hand!
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Crook branch support their local primary school's Easter CompetitionShow
The Crook branch attended their local primary school??s Easter competition this year, presenting these Easter eggs to the winning children.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Birtley branch sponsor a ‘Hays Travel Trophy’ for the Birtley Athletic ClubShow
The Birtley branch has sponsored a ??Hays Travel Trophy?? for the Birtley Athletic Club, where Karen and Lisa recently attended a presentation evening. There were over 200 people at the event and the team has already had a number of bookings and enquiries off the back of it. Well done Birtley!
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Team HT complete Race for LifeShow
Congratulations to everyone who completed the Race for Life at Herrington Park on May 19th. The weather wasn??t great, however, with a bit of team spirit and friendly competition the whole Hays team managed to complete the 5k race in 50 minutes or less. Well done!
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Birtley help raise £800 from Macmillan!Show
The Birtley branch attended a Macmillan Cancer Support charity event and donated £100 for the carers to buy Easter eggs for children taking part in a ??Danceathon??. Holly and Emma from the shop attended the event, watched the dancing and handed out certificates, balloons and other goodies. Altogether the event raised more than £800 for the charity. Well done Birtley!
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Seaham branch help raise money for CoCoShow
The Seaham branch donated a £50 voucher for the raffle at a fundraising event for childrens?? charity, CoCo. The event was organised to raise money for Ben Lawson, who is due to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity in June this year. Ben raised over £600 on the night. he is pictured here with Kayleigh and Gabrielle from the Seaham shop.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Spennymoor host Easter egg competition at local schoolShow
The Spennymoor branch sponsor the Easter egg competition at Oxclose School every year. Clare and Lorraine went along to choose the winners. Clare said: ??The children love this every year and get very excited. Lorraine and I presented the winning children with their eggs at their morning assemble and had a sing along with them all.?
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Chapeltown branch donated a £50 voucher to Junior School’s Easter raffleShow
The Chapeltown branch donated a £50 voucher to Lound Junior School??s Easter raffle. Here is a picture of Tracy Dodds with the raffle winner.
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Darlington branch raise £500 through a mystery coach tripShow
The Darlington branch organised a mystery coach trip to raise money for the charity, ME North East. 48 people attended the shopping trip to York, which raised £500 through ticket sales as well as the quiz and raffle held onboard the bus.
The team chose this charity after learning about local youngster, Evie Dore, a ten year old who suffers from myalgic encephalopathy, or ME, which causes symptoms including tiredness and painful joints and means she can only attend school for half-hour periods.
Evie??s mother, Rachel, said: ??I am totally overwhelmed by the companies that donated the raffle prizes, everyone on the trip and of course to Hays Travel, the manager Nichola and her staff.
??Evie wasn??t well enough to go but met us when we returned and gave Nichola some flowers. Evie herself was so grateful to everyone on the trip and for their generosity to support this new group. People like this are so thoughtful.?
Posted: 21/10/2013
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Spennymoor branch help boy's football team go to the Camp Nou!Show
The Spennymoor branch has been helping their local under 9?s football team raise funds for a trip to Barcelona. They donated a £100 voucher as a raffle prize at a Sportsman??s Dinner the team had organised.
Byers Green Haze Under 9?s Football Team play in the Russell Foster Premier League and are raising money so that they can travel to Barcelona and visit the famous, Camp Nou, home ground of Barcelona FC. They will also be organising football matches with local Spanish football teams of the same age.
Here??s Gemma and Clare from the Spennymoor branch with the team. They will be arranging the team??s travel to Barcelona when they have raised enough money for the trip.
Posted: 18/10/2013
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Houghton branch help local care homeShow
The Houghton branch have been helping their local care home to raise extra funds so that residents can get more days out.
Beauley Lodge Care Home organised a fundraising event on March 27th at Dubmire Social Club in Houghton, where there was bingo, a raffle, pie and pea supper, as well as local musicians performing throughout the night.
Hays Travel staff donated a £30 voucher for the raffle. Manager, Debbie, is pictured here with care home manager, Irene, and two of the residents.
Posted: 18/10/2013
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Pickering raise money for the Yorkshire Air AmbulanceShow
The Pickering branch attended a charity fashion show to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The team donated a £50 voucher, helping the event to raise over £500 in total. Here is the team with the event organiser.
Posted: 18/10/2013
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Washington branch find an eggcellent way to promote Every School Day CountsShow
The Washington branch split into teams to come up with ideas to increase business through community partnership. Zara, Helen and Julia worked together and came up with the idea of holding an Easter egg competition at local school, Rickleton Primary.
63 reception class children took part in the competition to design their own eggs. Zara and Helen went along to the school on the day to judge and announce the winners. Whilst there they chatted with parents to explain their involvement with the school and promote our Every School Day Counts scheme.
Every child received a Hays Travel goody bag which contained an Easter egg, Hays Travel school voucher and a selection of offers for this year??s school holidays.
The team bought prizes for the winners, including this Hays emblazoned Thornton??s egg!
Posted: 18/10/2013
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Darlington branch attended a Race Night to raise moneyShow
The Darlington branch attended a Race Night to raise money so that disadvantaged children can go on an educational trip to Kenya. Darlington branch sponsored the event and all attended, donating a voucher for the raffle and sponsoring a race. Branch manager, Nicola Metcalfe, said: ??The event raised a massive £2750 and was a great night!? Here are the Darlington team at the event.
Posted: 18/10/2013
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Chapeltown raise over £500 for children's hospitalShow
Lewis and Amy from the Chapeltown branch recently handed over a cheque for £501 to Sheffield Children's Hospital.
They raised the money by organising a coach trip to a Christmas market and selling tickets for it, as well as running a raffle, games and quiz on the coach.
Posted: 18/01/2013
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Wallsend branch help fill Santa's sackShow
The Wallsend branch donated presents to the Great North Children's Hospital this Christmas, using their community partnership budget as well as donations from customers.
Branch manager, Darren, said: "It is not very nice being in hospital, let alone over the festive period. We always like to help lighten up the children's faces by delivering presents to them during their stay in hospital."
Darren and the staff at Wallsend have been doing this for six years now. He is pictured here with Aree Saint, also from the Wallsend branch, and staff from the Great North Children's Hospital.
Posted: 18/01/2013
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South Shields staff don dancing shoes in aid of charityShow
The South Shields branch organised a line dancing night at Brinkburn School to raise cash for the South Tyneside branch of the Alzheimer's Society.
There was bingo and a raffle, raising 478 pounds for the charity, as well as cowboy boots and fancy footwork aplenty.
Retired Hays area manager, Pam Gowens, helped organise the event. The charity is close to Pam's heart as her husband was diagnosed with the condition nine years ago. Pam said: "Since my husband was diagnosed,the charity has been really supportive. It is such a good cause, and I'm grateful to the girls at Hays Travel. They have been fabulous."
Posted: 18/01/2013
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Horwich branch hold competition for local school childrenShow
The Horwich team recently ran a competition in conjunction with their adopted school,Rivington and Blackrod High School, whereby Year 9 students were challenged to produce a piece of work showing how tourism might change in the future.
Branch manager, Emma Woodcock, presented prizes to the winning students. First prize was a kindle, second prize was cinema tickets and third prize, an HMV voucher.
Posted: 18/01/2013
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Training team get thumbs up from OfstedShow
Congratulations to everyone within the Training Department for impressing the Ofsted
inspectors on their recent visit. The official report is now in and Hays Travel's in-house
apprenticeship provision has been awarded a 'Good - Grade 2' for its 'overall
effectiveness' with 'outcomes for learners' reported as 'Outstanding - Grade 1'.
The official inspecting body said that our apprentices, "develop outstanding
skills and knowledge and have excellent career progression and promotion
opportunities within Hays Travel."
The announcement comes less than a month after the training team
celebrated success at the regional finals of the National Training and
Apprenticeship Awards, and after only one full year as a standalone training
provider.
Head of Training, Katie Woods-Ruddick, said: "Having an external body like Ofsted come in
and review what we do has been a fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable feedback
with regard to how we can improve, and also for us to receive the recognition that
I believe the team here deserve.
"As a training team we strive to ensure that those who we deliver training to
find it worthwhile. We are dedicated to supporting our staff and to helping each and
every individual within the company achieve their personal goals.
"Receiving such positive feedback from Ofsted has made me very proud indeed."
The official Ofsted report went on to say: "Outcomes for apprentices at Hays Travel
are outstanding. Overall apprenticeship success rates are very high and significantly
above national averages. Apprentices make very good progress towards achieving
their qualifications and the very large majority achieve well in advance of their agreed
deadlines.
"Trainer assessors use their extensive expertise and experience to contextualise
training, learning and assessment making this highly relevant to apprentices and the
travel industry."
John Hays said: "I am absolutely delighted with the feedback we have received from Ofsted.
After only one full year as a standalone training provider I think that this is an amazing success
for our training department and our apprenticeship scheme in particular.
"I am very proud of everyone in the training department, where they work
exceptionally hard to ensure that our staff get first class support and training."
Posted: 08/11/2012
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Jarrow help paralympic hero get well deserved breakShow
The team at Jarrow have helped paralympic hero, Josef Craig, to get his first holiday in four years.
15 year-old Josef won gold in the 400m swimming freestyle event at the Paralympics in September this year, breaking two world records. Following months of training leading up to the London games, Josef, who has cerebral palsy, is now set to enjoy a well-earned break after the team at Jarrow donated 200 pounds to his holiday fund.
His mother, Kim Craig, said: "I am just so delighted with the donation Hays Travel has made. Josef has been working so hard, especially this past year. He's just so excited at the thought a holiday is now possible."
Josef is putting the voucher towards the cost of a holiday which he hopes to take in the new year.
Allison Todd from the Jarrow branch said: "My son used to swim with Josef and I know how hard he worked to gain his place in the Paralympics. He deserves a break and that's why we offered him the holiday voucher."
Posted: 15/10/2012
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Sedgefield team support charity event which raises a whopping £7000!Show
On Friday 5th October, 200 people gathered to raise money for the Ellen Timney Foundation - a charity dedicated to helping sick and underprivileged children in the north east.
In its sixth year, the event was held at Hardwick Hall Hotel, with Hays Travel as the main sponsors. Julie Ann and Mary from the Sedgefield branch attended on the evening, which included a three course meal, auction, open envelope prize draw and live music.
The event raised an incredible 7000 pounds.
Posted: 09/10/2012
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A summer of sponsorship for Shildon!Show
The team at Shildon have been working hard this summer to get involved in their local community. Here's a report from branch manager, Rachel.
Timothy Hackworth School Choir
"We donated a Hays voucher as a raffle prize for the choir's performance in June. Many parents and members of the public attended this event,so we used the opportunity to have our name in the programme on the evening, giving us great exposure at the same time as supporting one of our local schools."
Shildon Cricket Club
"Back in July we attended the cricket club's charity match and again donated a Hays Travel voucher for one of the raffle prizes. We used this day as a 'meet and greet' with the local community, so that people could get to know the new faces in the branch. We also held a children's colouring in competition, which went down a storm."
Hackworth Park Centenary Celebrations
"Hackworth Park held a day of celebrations for its 100th birthday and all local businesses were invited to organise a table top stall. The Shildon team decided on holding a charity raffle for local animal sanctuary, Kay's Hill. We sold tickets on the day, as well as handing out Hays promotional material and sweets for the kids. It was an excellent day for us to interact with our customers and to raise money for a great cause. In total we raised ninety pounds for the charity and had some very happy winners - the top prize being a Hays voucher. As a thank you to everyone that bought a ticket we placed an advert in the local paper that is delivered free to all households in Shildon."
St John's Church - Festival of Flowers
"The local church held this event to bring some colour to the community during this time of economic uncertainty. It was themed around holidays and celebrations and we sponsored a display entitled, 'Life on the Ocean Waves'."
Posted: 08/10/2012
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Seaham branch attend local golf club open dayShow
Staff from the Seaham shop attended the Hays Open Day at Seaham Harbour Golf Club last week, and had a great day despite the howling North Sea winds!
Every golfer who took part in the event was given a preferential rates voucher for our foreign currency. The team also had a table in the club house where they were promoting UK hotel breaks (ideal for golfers), as well as cruises and overseas destinations which are good for golf.
The four-man team who won the event received a £50 Hays Travel voucher each, along with a bottle of fizz.
Everyone had a great day and the Club Captain has invited the team back again next year.
Posted: 08/10/2012
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Pocklington team support rugby trip to FranceShow
The Pocklington branch are supporting their local rugby club by putting 100 pounds toward the cost of the under 13's tour of France.
Posted: 08/10/2012
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Chapeltown Tug of WarShow
The Chapeltown branch sponsored a tug of war at the Kirk Balk School gala day.
They also presented medals to the winners and attended a night out at Barnsley Metrodome.
Posted: 08/10/2012
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Westhoughton branch support charity golf tournamentShow
The Westhoughton team has donated Hays Travel vouchers to their local golf club for a charity tournament.
The charity supports elderly people in the Westhoughton area, with volunteers visiting local people at home, as well as taking them out and about.
Posted: 08/10/2012
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Houghton sponsor the Beer FestivalShow
The staff at Houghton branch got involved in selling tickets for the Houghton beer festival the tickets and flyers had the Hays Travel logo printed on them and the flyers were posted to houses in the Houghton area.
Debbie branch manager at Houghton said " I went along to the saturday afternoon, of course I refrained from a beer though!!
All the staff had the orange t-shirts on with the sponsors on the back and everyone left with a Hays Travel bag with locally donated goodies in them. The event was a real sucess, really busy and they are going to do it again next year. The amount of money raised is not yet confirmed but all monies raised will be given to local charities".
Posted: 23/05/2012
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Ashingtons Mystery Coach Trip & Rob's leg waxing....In aid of Mya who has infantile parkinsons diseaShow
Sharon branch manager at Ashington said "What an absolute success story this has been, i feel immensely proud of my team , this year i decided to delegate the fundraising to my team, usually i do it myself but this year i gave it to Brooke, Rob and Sarah. They have worked very hard on this project, organising a coach trip with quizzes, bingo and raffles. They scoured the streets asking for gift donations for the raffle.
The day was a huge success with many of the ladies asking when we were doing another one, they had a lovely trip to Scarborough, Mya's grandparents were on the trip and very overjoyed and touched with all the support they had been given.
The day raised £790 in total but that wasn't good enough for my team they wanted more so they decided poor Rob needed his legs waxed, they managed to get £160 in sponsor money for this hilarious event so in total we have raised £950 for Mya this is a tremendous amount the most my branch have ever raised".
A big well done to all the staff for making the event so successful.
Posted: 23/05/2012
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Houghton sponsor 7-14 year old Rugby ClubShow
Debbie from our Houghton branch attened and presented the awards, the branch sponsored the cost of the trophies and offered a raffle prize.
Debbie said " I attended the presentation on sunday afternoon, there were six awards for the differennt age groups which i presented. All the parents of the children were there. We had the Hays banner behind the awards table. took goody bags for all the children and offered a Hays Travel voucher for a raffle prize. We also have a place on the website.
It was a great event and very busy, the atmosphere was fab. They were very grateful for the sponsorship. We received a big thanks from the children as well as them singing the Hays Travel anthem!!".
Posted: 23/05/2012
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Horwich Branch SponsorshipShow
Branch manager, Emma and her team at Horwich, pictured with their community partnership school "Rivington & Blackrod".
Horwich have sponsored their school football team, for 4 seasons now, and show their support by attending their crucial matches when they can.
Posted: 18/10/2011
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Pickering Community PartnershipShow
Congratulations to Pickering Town under 10's (pictured with Nick our Pickering Branch Manager), in their very LUCKY Hays strips, since wearing their strips this season they remain unbeaten!! Making them top of their junior league..
WELL DONE BOYS!!!
Posted: 18/10/2011
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Bishop fundraises for cancer researchShow
Amanda the branch foreign exchange consultant grew her very own giant sunflower to enter on behalf of Team Hays. At 9ft, 2inches and still growing, it wasn't quite the winner, although Amanda will need scaffolding, if it grows any bigger.
A total of £940 was raised from Hays sponsored seeds and raffle.
Well done Amanda!!
Posted: 30/09/2011
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Aycliffe Branch Sponsorship of The Great Aycliffe ShowShow
This is a great PR and networking opportunity getting the new team some great recongnition within their community.
The Branch have been sponsoring the Aycliffe Showfor a number of years now and has proved very sucessful for them.
Posted: 30/09/2011
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Hays get shortlisted at TTG AwardsShow
Hays Travel has been selected as one of the finalists in the Training Programme of the Year category at this year's TTG Awards, whilst Hayleigh Brown from the Sunderland brnach has been shortlisted for the Agent of the Year Award.
This means we're in the final six for each of these categories. Each category is assigned a panel of four to five judges to assess the shortlisted finalists. Chaired by a TTG journalist who does not have a carrying vote. Each panel debates and discusses each entrant against the rigorous criteria set for that category. At the end of the judging, the panel will pick the winner!
The TTG Travel Awards 2011 will take place in a glittering ceremony at London's Grosvenor House hotel on September 22nd 2011. They expect more than 900 of the industry's most prominent figures to be there to celebrate the best agents, suppliers and travel providers in the industry.
Good luck to both the Training Team and Hayleigh!!
Posted: 09/08/2011
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Durham support charity auctionShow
Here are Laura, Branch Manager, and Amy, the Assistant Manager from Durham, with the winners of a £200 Hays Travel gift voucher donated to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice.
The event was 70's fancy dress and our voucher raised £100.
Everyone had a great night and the staff handed out business cards while chatting to the guests.
Posted: 09/08/2011
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Consett branch head down to Leadgate School summer fayreShow
Consett branch manager, Michelle, and apprentice, Shane, recently joined
the fun in the sun at local Leadgate School's summer fayre, promoting Hays Travel
holidays to parents and pupils.
Posted: 27/07/2011
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Hays Travel gazebos keep children safe in the sunShow
The Billingham branch have provided their adopted school, Pentland Primary, with
Hays Travel gazebos to keep the children safe from the sun whilst doing outdoor
activities and to use at summer fayres etc. Here are Ray and Kim from the branch with
some of the children.
Posted: 27/07/2011
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Crook sponsor cricket club stripsShow
Kayleigh, our modern apprentice at the Crook branch, recently went down to see
the boys at Parkside Sports School in their spanking new Hays sponsored cricket strips!
Here she is with the team...
Posted: 27/07/2011
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Shildon support cricket club's charity fun dayShow
Here's Elaine, branch manager at Shildon, handing over a raffle prize for the charity fun day at their local cricket club. Elaine helped organise the event which raised over £650 for cancer charities. Well done!
Posted: 27/07/2011
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Latest customer feedback prize goes to Durham clientShow
All Hays Travel customers are sent a welcome home postcard giving them the
opportunity to leave feedback about the service they received. We use this to
measure customer opinion with regards to our service and to gain ideas for how we
can improve. If customers fill in the feedback postcard they are automatically entered
into a quarterly free prize draw with the chance to win £250 holiday vouchers.
The latest lucky winner was Durham client, Mr Bowman, who is pictured here with
Durham branch manager, Laura Watson, and senior sales consultant, Cara Hall.
Posted: 27/07/2011
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Knaresborough sponsor team cricket shirtsShow
Knaresborough branch manager, Sarah Murphy, and senior sales consultant,
Debbie Proctor, popped down to their local junior cricket club to launch the
new Hays sponsored shirts for the team. They are pictured here flanking the
junior cricket co-ordinator, Andrew Tattersall (Sarah on the left, Debbie on the right), with some of the young players, who range in age from 9 to 17.
Posted: 27/07/2011
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Jarrow visit adopted schoolShow
Here are Michelle and Laura from the Jarrow branch on a recent visit
to their adopted school, Jarrow Cross, where they presented Hays Travel
attendance awards to the children.
Posted: 26/07/2011
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Ashington raise money for Princess Ellie's TrustShow
Pictured here is Ashington manager, Sharon, at this year's washed out fundraising
day for the Princess Ellie's Trust, a charity committed to raising awareness of meningitis.
Despite the rain, plenty of fun was had with a bucking bronco, pony and trap rides,
bouncy castle, face painting, cake stall and raffle. The Ashington branch donated a
voucher to the raffle prizes and so far the running total raised from the day is over £4000.
Posted: 26/07/2011
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Grease lightning!Show
The Houghton branch have sponsored a production of Grease at local Houghton
Kepier School. You can just about make out manager, Debbie, on the back row
of this picture. Debbie said: "The production of Grease was a real success
and made for a great night. We were proud to see the Hays Travel logo on the
cast's tshirts and in the event programme."
Posted: 25/07/2011
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Sedgefield support Community College sports ceremonyShow
Julie-Ann from the Sedgefield branch recently attended Sedgefield Community
College's sports presentation evening at Hardwick Hall Hotel.
This is the 13th year that Hays Travel has been the chief sponsor to the event,
which saw over 300 parents and children gather together for dinner and awards
presentations, as well as a guest appearance by capped netball player and regional
excel coach for England Netball, Karen Grieg.
There was a sports memorabilia auction raising £600 for the college's nominated
charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and the evening was brought to a close with
Julie-Ann presenting the ?Hays Travel Sports Personality of the Year Awards'!
Posted: 25/07/2011
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Jarrow support school breakfast clubShow
Michelle from the Jarrow branch recently popped into the branch's adopted
school, Jarrow Cross School, to present a cheque for £400. The money will help
keep open the school's much needed breakfast club.
Posted: 25/07/2011
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Houghton sponsor summer fayreShow
Here's a picture of Debbie from the Houghton branch presenting a Hays Travel
voucher at the summer fayre of her adopted school, Bernard Gilpin Primary School.
Posted: 25/07/2011
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Sunderland support reading clubShow
The Sunderland branch have been supporting their local Southmoor School
in its mission to get kids reading. The team donated £150 of their sponsorship
budget to the school's reading club and manager, David Musson, attended
the end of term awards ceremony to hand out certificates and reading books to
pupils who had improved their reading skills.
Posted: 25/07/2011
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Killingworth sponsor sports dayShow
Here are Brian and Julie from the Killingworth branch at their local school's sports
day, presenting a prize to a raffle winner. Killingworth's adopted school is Moor Edge
Primary, where the team get involved sponsoring and attending events.
Posted: 11/07/2011
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First Hays Beds Dubai tripShow
Dan Steabler from the Hays Beds team (pictured here on the right) recently led a
trip to Dubai for Hays long haul sellers. Two retail agents, two call centre sellers
and one Hays homeworker travelled to Dubai where they visited 15 hotels,
including the famous 7* Burj al Arab. They also went on a city tour which took
in the highlights of the world's glitziest resort, including Burj Khalifa, the world's
tallest building, a Dhow cruise along the creek to take in the city's spectacular
skyline, and a jeep safari in the desert. The group stayed in three 5* hotels
and had the pleasure of travelling both ways with Emirates.
Posted: 06/07/2011
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Ashington support special educational needs departmentShow
The Ashington team have made a donation to the special educational needs
department of their adopted school, Northumberland Church of England School.
The money has gone to providing the children with stimulating equipment for
outdoor playtime.
Posted: 06/07/2011
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Hays staff attend first Seminar at SeaShow
Hays Travel staff attended the first ?Seminar at Sea' onboard the Grandeur of the Seas.
Nine Hays sellers joined 45 other cruise agents for a training session onboard the RCI ship.
The group spent three days sailing the Spanish Mediterranean, participating in interactive
training sessions to learn more about Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Cruises.
When not in training sessions the group got the chance to try out the ship's climbing wall,
take part in ship hunts and meet the captain.
The Hays group won the Dragon's Den style challenge with their idea of offering
customers a free excursion in Majorca to visit Grandeur of the Seas. The idea has now been
taken back to the operations team so that they can check the logistics and bring the idea to life!
Sounds like you did us proud!
Posted: 06/07/2011
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Charity fun day at Stanley Show
Here are the girls from Stanley handing over cheques to their two chosen charities
- Willowburn Hospice and FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together).
The team raised a whopping £1786 at their recent charity fun day at the local
sports club. The day was certainly fun-packed with a bouncy castle, ?Hook a duck',
sports day games, a football match, tombola, face painting, nail art, a raffle, cakes,
hamburgers and hotdogs!
Manager, Kelly, said: "All the staff got involved and it was amazing to see
how many people turned up. We were busy all day and thrilled to have raised so
much money for charities which are close to our hearts."
Well done Stanley.
Posted: 06/07/2011
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Birtley branch set schoolboy off on charity tripShow
Birtley branch donated £150 of their sponsorship budget to local schoolboy,
James Hunton, who is travelling to Borneo next year to work for a charity
helping to improve the lives of local people. He's pictured here with the team
from Birtley, who have also donated t-shirts and pens for James to take to
the community in Borneo.
Posted: 04/07/2011
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Jarrow judge Easter egg comp...Show
It's taken us a while to get a picture sorted but here's Lesley from Jarrow
with children from Jarrow Cross Primary School.
Lesley was invited to judge the Easter egg competition at the shop's
adopted school.
Posted: 14/06/2011
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South Shields sponsor local football teamShow
The South Shields branch have sponsored strips for their local youth
football team, the DNL Bulldogs, who play every Saturday at Monkton
Stadium, Jarrow.
They are pictured here in their Hays Travel emblazoned strips
with Samantha and Kaye from the branch and their manager, Lee Blatchford.
Posted: 24/05/2011
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Crook branch sponsor school cricket stripsShow
Kassandra and Kayleigh from the Crook branch recently visited their
adopted school, Parkside Sports College, to present a cheque for £400
which will go towards the school's new cricket strips (Hays logo emblazoned!)
Posted: 13/05/2011
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Consett staff judge Easter egg compShow
Here's a picture of Vicky and Michelle from the Consett branch with children
from their adopted school, St Patrick's Primary. Hays staff were appointed the
privileged position of judging the annual Easter egg competition.
Posted: 13/05/2011
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Spennymoor staff visit adopted schoolShow
Ray Patterson and Natasha Heslop from the Spennymoor branch judged the Easter
egg competition at their adopted school, Ox Close Primary. Here they are pictured with
the winning children.
Natasha and Heather from the branch also went in to support a careers day
at the school, where they talked about working in the travel industry and worked
with the children designing ticket wallets and luggage labels.
Posted: 10/05/2011
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Hays send star speaker to City of Sunderland CollegeShow
Our very own Product Sales Manager and travel industry guru, Dan Steabler,
was invited to the City of Sunderland College last month to speak to 1st and 2nd year
Travel & Tourism students.
Dan gave the students a full insight into Hays Travel and discussed our work
experience and apprenticeship opportunities. He also spoke to the students
about his time in the travel industry, filling them in on his experience since leaving
college, which included an apprenticeship with Hays as a YTS, life as a holiday rep
and his current role in the product team.
The Hays Travel Independence Group has a member based at the college,
City Sun Travel, where the students complete work experience placements during
the course of their studies.
Here's a photo of Dan with the students in the mock aircraft cabin they have at
Sunderland's St Peter's campus.
Posted: 04/05/2011
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Wallsend make Easter donation for play equipmentShow
Here's a picture of Wallsend manager, Darren Wetherell, presenting a cheque for £100 to nursery teacher, Miss Thomas, and the Easter bunny, both from the branch's adopted school, Redesdale Primary.
Posted: 20/04/2011
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Houghton put best foot forward for fundraising fashion showShow
Here's a pic of Houghton manager, Debbie Watson, handing over a cheque to pupils at the branch's adopted school, Hetton Comprehensive, where they were holding a fundraising fashion show for a charity trip to Tanzania.
Posted: 20/04/2011
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More Comic Relief Capers...Show
The marketing team did their bit for Comic Relief last week with Sally Thompson undertaking a sponsored silence from 9am until 5.30pm, raising £75, and Will Illingworth being brave enough to have his legs waxed, making the charity £211.
Posted: 20/04/2011
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Comic Relief Capers...Show
This year for Red Nose Day, the Forex and Beds Finance Team clubbed together to bake and sell cakes in a bid to raise as much money as possible for Comic Relief.
They made a total of £200, which includes £48 kindly donated by Victoria Wilcox from Hays Transfers, who won the sweepstake but donated her winnings to the fund.
Posted: 20/04/2011
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Aspiring youngster recieves Travel and Tourism awardShow
Pictured is Gateshead manager, Louise Hockaday, presenting a Travel and Tourism award to Hayley Miller of Heworth Grange School ? a budding travel industry employee perhaps!
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Newcastle branch raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer CareShow
Here's a picture of Newcastle's assistant manager, Lesley Miller, presenting a £50 Hays Travel voucher to raffle winners, Susan Shiel and Derek O'Connor, at a charity night held in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care at Westfield Social Club in Newcastle on the 14th February.
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Town crier spreads Hays Travel message!Show
Knaresborough branch took advantage of some old fashioned services when they got the town crier to hand out Hays Travel goodie bags during their recent sales weekend.
There's some quirky marketing ? well done Knaresborough!
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Bowling for the Great North Air AmbulanceShow
Ferryhill branch organised a charity event at their local bowling club to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.
The event raised £100 to which the branch added another £100 from their sponsorship budget, making a total donation of £200 to the air ambulance charity.
Members of the Ferryhill team attended the bowling event and presented the winning bowlers with their trophies, as well as a cheque to the club's chairman and secretary.
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Hays Travel win SAFC Foundation Corporate Challenge!Show
Congratulations! Hays Travel staff raised the most money in last year's SAFC Foundation Corporate Challenge.
The corporate challenge took place from January to December 2010 and involved six businesses signing up to raise funds for the SAFC Foundation.
Here at Hays Travel we raised money by holding staff raffles, our Christmas party fundraising and regular dress down days. Our ?pro' football team also took part in the ?play on the pitch' event at the Stadium of Light.
Altogether we managed to raise a whopping £4916 for the SAFC Foundation ? a charity run by the football club supporting under privileged children in the north east.
Our total was higher than any other company involved in the challenge so congratulations to everyone who participated in fundraising events. And a massive thanks to Steve Wright, who organised all Hays Travel's fundraising events.
Well done everyone.
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Darlington branch support local rugby teamShow
The team from Darlington have sponsored strips for the Darlington Youth Rugby Team.
Manager, Nicola Howe, and assistant manager, Samantha Birdsey, are pictured looking rather pleased with themselves surrounded by the boys from the team.
The branch are also holding a post match fundraising event at the team's club house, which will include a raffle.
Let's hope plenty of money is raised.
Well done Darlington!
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Pickering team help local schoolgirl in charity expedition to TanzaniaShow
The team from Pickering have donated £200 towards local schoolgirl Carla Connor's World Challenge expedition to Tanzania.
The purpose of the expedition is for British youngsters to explore a different culture and to help in Tanzanian schools. Carla and her classmates will be helping provide fresh water as well as decorating schools and classrooms.
She is pictured above with Pickering branch manager, Nick Abbey.
Posted: 07/03/2011
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Wallsend staff bring Christmas cheer to sick childrenShow
The Wallsend Hays Travel team delivered Christmas presents for sick children in the RVI Hospital over the Christmas period. Using their community sponsorship fund to kickstart the appeal, alongside donations gratefully received from customers, they managed to bring some Christmas cheer to the children. It can be a very difficult time visiting hospital, especially at Christmas, which is why branch manager, Darren Wetherell, has organised this for the past few years, with donations from customers increasing annually.
Darren said: "It's a pleasure to be able to bring some happiness to sick children and we will continue to donate to the ward every year for as long as we can." He is pictured above with Stacey Calvert and the staff from Ward 2.
Posted: 07/03/2011
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