Idle Travel delivers more than 500 Christmas gifts

Idle Travel has donated more than 500 Christmas gifts dropped off at the agency’s store as part of a UK-wide charity appeal.

The business took part in Cash for Kids’ Christmas Mission for the second year in a row to help disadvantaged children.

The agency’s store in Bradford was an official drop-off point for presents, with hundreds received over a three-week period before the deadline on December 17.

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Idle Travel director Tony Mann said: “It’s quite an emotional thing. For us as a team, it gets us in the Christmas spirit and we kept saying, ‘Aren’t some people nice’?”

The appeal, promoted on West Yorkshire radio station Pulse 1, led to gifts being donated for children of all ages. Scooters, books, teddy bears, dolls, balls and colouring sets were among the items contributed.

Idle Travel has also been running a ‘12 Days of Christmas’ game through Facebook. The agency’s staff have been taking part in challenges, with customers invited to answer a question about each activity to put themselves in with a chance of winning a prize.

“While we’ve got time, because we get so busy in January, it’s good for the team and it’s a nice way to end the year,” said Mann.

There have been some instances of scammers impersonating the company and trying to trick people into clicking rogue links, said Mann, but the Idle Travel staff have been monitoring the issue.

“What a shame that it’s been hijacked, but it’s not going to deter us,” said Mann, whose business will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.

Looking ahead to peaks, Mann said he would be “well chuffed” if sales were to be two-thirds of those achieved in this year’s record-breaking peak period. If sales are equalled, he will be “ecstatic”.

Mann said he would avoid putting pressure on staff, adding: “I’ll be happy if we keep the majority of customers we’ve had for the last two years.”

Marketing will be vital to achieve success, said Mann, as well as steering clear of complacency.

Photo: Idle Travel director Tony Mann (centre) helps deliver the Christmas gifts