Avanti West Coast partners with charity supporting family holidays this summer

• Avanti West Coast teams up with the Family Holiday Charity in a first for the railway industry
  
• Charity set up to provide vulnerable families with the opportunity to enjoy time spent away together
  
• Initial pilot scheme will support families on short breaks along the West Coast Main Line this summer

Avanti West Coast is teaming up with a charity to help vulnerable families take much-needed breaks over the summer.

In a first for the rail industry, the train operator has joined forces with the Family Holiday Charity who provide getaways for families in need of a break from daily struggles.

Initially launching as a trial, it will see the intercity operator supporting six families over the school summer holidays with travel by rail to one of the many holiday destinations along the West Coast Main Line.

The opportunity for a getaway will be offered to families who are experiencing difficulties including financial hardship, bereavement, caring responsibilities, insecure housing, domestic abuse, mental health challenges and disabilities.

These situations can make the idea of time away feel out of reach, but together Avanti West Coast and the Family Holiday Charity aim to break down the barriers commonly associated with summer travel to give families the opportunity to enjoy a holiday together.

Founded in 1975, the charity supports families with the tools they need to enjoy a short break away from their day-to-day. The UK-based initiative relies on referrals from family support specialists, social workers and organisations such as the NHS who identify those that will benefit most from a holiday together. Through the organisation of short breaks, seaside visits and days out, the Family Holiday Charity aims to instil hope in family units experiencing situations where faith may have been lost.

Throughout the summer holidays, families will embark on an adventure across the West Coast Main Line, with Avanti West Coast supporting their travel and helping to build confidence in those who may not be familiar with navigating the railway.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re really proud to be partnering with the Family Holiday Charity this summer to offer families, who may otherwise not have the chance, the opportunity to go on holiday.

“We serve many picturesque towns and seaside destinations along the West Coast Main Line that will be the perfect destination for the families to enjoy new experiences and escapism from their day-to-day reality. The trips will offer something that many could take for granted – the opportunity to nurture relationships, create memories and reconnect with one another.”

Rob Parkinson, Chief Executive of the Family Holiday Charity, said: “While many of the families we support have not been on a holiday before, it will also be the case that some have never travelled together by rail. Providing new experiences and opportunities to make enduring memories is central to what we do as a charity, and so we’re very excited to be working with Avanti West Coast on this summer pilot project.

“We’re really grateful for the collaboration which will provide travel for several groups this summer. We are also really looking forward to hearing how the families enjoy exploring and discovering some of the holiday hotspots on the Avanti rail network.”

ENDS