The Hays Travel’s Finaghy branch hosted a family afternoon with crafts, treats and a visit from Minnie Mouse, all in a great cause.
To help a customer, the team decided to raise money for Helping Hand, a charity established by medical staff at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to support youngsters in their care.
Money raised by Helping Hand goes directly towards vital new equipment to help diagnose and treat the hospital’s young patients as well as providing facilities and services for families. The charity has paid for items such as reclining chairs that allow parents to stay overnight and sleep alongside their children.
When customer Ashlea asked the team for help to boost the fund, they rose to the challenge. Andrew Roden, branch manager, and the whole team in the branch got to work to organise a fun day for families, providing snacks and treats and children’s crafts and games. The team had a helping hand of their own as Minnie Mouse helped them raise money around the town.
Andrew said: “This charity helped one of our customers so much that we really wanted to do whatever we could to help. Although it was only a small event, it helped raise the charity’s profile. It was great fun showing Minnie Mouse around Finaghy and a lot of people donated very generously. Hopefully this is the first of many fundraising events that we will be doing together as a team.”
Ashlea, the customer who suggested the fundraiser said: “My little boy was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital at just three weeks old. The staff were so incredible – they literally saved his life. This is why I am fundraising for Helping Hand and I want to thank the staff at Hays Travel for all they’ve done to help.”
Irene Hays, joint owner and chair of Hays Travel, said: “It is part of the Hays Travel ethos to encourage colleagues to make a contribution to the communities where they live and work. Each branch receives £500 as part of our community partnership scheme to contribute to the communities where they are.”
