Customers of Our Coop will be helping to create ‘forever moments’ for children and young people facing serious challenges, when they book a holiday with the travel company thanks to a new partnership with Go Beyond.
For every Our Coop Holidays package booked in one of the 78 high street travel agencies across England, on the website or via the call centre, Our Coop will donate £1 per passenger, to Go Beyond. Additionally, customers will be given the option to donate £1 per passenger, to Go Beyond for holiday bookings made with any of the third party, travel companies that Our Coop travel agents sell.
Sara Dunham, Chief Officer, Travel and Leisure for Our Coop, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Go Beyond. As a travel business, we know how important a change of scene and a break from the routine is for maintaining positive mental wellbeing, so for our customers to be able to support Go Beyond in providing getaways for young people whose day-to-day lives are particularly challenging, is a real honour.
“We are extremely proud that our partnership with Go Beyond will have a positive and lasting impact on children and young people nationwide, through the charity’s work. Go Beyond’s community focus, vision and ethos mirrors that of Our Coop society.”
How will this partnership help children?
Stephen Brearley, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Go Beyond, said: “We are very excited to partner with Our Coop and their kind customers. The past year has been exceptionally challenging for the children and young people our charity supports. This partnership with the generous support of the customers of Our Coop will enable us to provide children and young people with breaks that have a lasting impact on their lives.
Every day we receive emails from professionals referring children to us who desperately need a break from their circumstances. We ensure that each young person attends a Go Beyond break that is packed with activities intended to encourage self-belief, and inspire adventure. Our biggest hope is for each child to go home knowing they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.”
Dolly’s* Story
The money raised will go towards giving children like Dolly* a break to build her confidence, to make new friends, and to have the time to be a child.
Dolly is 10 and lives her mum and gran. Dolly’s mum is in recovery from drug abuse which has left her with significantly reduced mobility and means she is cared for by Dolly and her gran. Sadly, Dolly’s school life is equally as tough as her home life. She struggles to make friends and has experienced significant bullying due to her home life.
Dolly arrived at Go Beyond feeling nervous about not knowing anyone and the prospect of having to make new friends was on her mind. But, within a couple of hours of arriving, Dolly formed a strong friendship with another one of the girls. This friendship helped to guide her through the week and gave her the confidence to form friendships with the rest of the group. On the last evening Dolly stood up in front of all the children and adults to say, “You are all my stars of the day. I wouldn’t normally talk to any of you, but I’m glad I have because you are all really kind, and now you are all like my little family.”
*names and details have been changed to protect identities.
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