Following the troubling news last week that the Wessex Cancer Trust is desperately in need of funds in order to remain operating, local travel agent Shan Simpson has reached out to help.
Operating as Trolley Dolly Travel, Shan and the Trust have entered into a partnership whereby a proportion of any commission that Shan makes from selling holiday packages to Trust supporters goes straight to the Trust itself.
“We’re coming into a very busy time of year for holiday bookings,” says Wessex Cancer Trust Dorset Community Engagement Officer Maria Tidy. “If any of our supporters book their holiday through Shan, then not only will they enjoy her personal service, they will also be contributing to what is a much-needed and – at the moment – very desperate cause.”
The Wessex Cancer Trust last week launched a crisis appeal in order to raise £600,000 by 31 January or face the prospect that the charity’s services will be axed.
For Shan the Trust is very close to her heart, having lost several of her loved ones to cancer. “My father died five years ago of cancer, and two years ago a dear friend of mine left three very young children behind. My mum has also had a breast cancer diagnosis, so I am only too aware of how much patients and families rely on the support of charities such as this,” she says.
Having worked for British Airways for ten years, Shan can truly be described as a travel expert – in fact she bills herself as “a travel addict”.
Operating as a travel consultant for the local Bournemouth-based travel giant, Not Just Travel, all holidays sold are protected by ABTA regulations, so customers can book with confidence. Shan’s clients benefit not only from her expertise, but particularly from her high level of personal service – something that Not Just Travel prides itself. “Holiday planning is supposed to be fun, but many find it incredibly stressful,” she says. “On average a person spends over eight hours researching their holiday and visits 38 websites – and even then, they don’t know what they’re really getting. I take all that stress away.
“Around 60% of the holidays that I can access are not available online. Customers don’t pay any extra for my service – they only pay for the cost of the holiday, which very often can be cheaper than they might find themselves.”
Shan hopes to be able to tap into the thousands of Trust supporters in the forthcoming busy holiday booking period. “It just makes sense that at the same time as booking their holiday, they also help a charity that sadly many of us will one day need,” says Shan.
“Every penny will help at this desperate time and I encourage all our supporters thinking of booking their next holiday to contact Shan at Trolley Dolly Travel,” says Maria.
You can reach Shan via http://www.trolleydollytravel.com
