National Express is turning the wheels on a new charity partnership that is helping families across the UK.
The UK’s largest coach operator has teamed up with the Family Holiday Association (FHA) to give out hundreds of coach tickets to families who can’t afford a break.
The move means families all over the UK are taking trips away from home for the first time ever, with hundreds of cities, seasides and countryside spots to choose from.
Families have already been benefitting from trips away from home this summer. The FHA and National Express arranged for Claire Brown, a single mother from London, to take a day trip to Bournemouth with her fourteen-year-old son whom she brings up alone.
Claire suffers from depression and her relationship with her son is very strained as she is often reliant on him to support her in day-to-day care.
She said she had the most amazing day in Bournemouth with her son. They spent the time on the beach building sandcastles and playing in the water.
She said: “This trip has inspired me to start walking further afield and researching activities that we can do together for free.
“It was the first time my son has been to the sea with me and he was impressed by just how much I knew about sea life. I could never have been able to afford tickets to the seaside ourselves.”
Commenting on the initiative, National Express UK Coach managing director Tom Stables said: “National Express is committed to supporting local communities and building strong families is a building block in that process.
“That is why we have joined forces with the FHA to give families who can’t normally afford to do so the chance to take a break, relax, bond, and build happy memories.”
FHA director John McDonald said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with National Express this summer and be able to help more families access an often vital break away from home.
“We know through our work, backed by extensive academic research, that spending quality together as a family results in stronger, healthier and happier families and communities.”
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