AWTE board members rise (and fall) to the challenge for charity
James ChappleTwo members of the Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) board had uniquely different battles with heights at the weekend to each complete a charity challenge, raising vital funds at home and overseas.
Vice-chair Michelle Laverick completed a 13,000-foot skydive at Hinton Airfield in Northamptonshire to raise money for youth suicide prevention charity Papyrus.
Partnerships director Gail Kenny, meanwhile, scaled Morocco’s Mount Toubkal in aid of local communities and Abta LifeLine as part of a trek organised by G Adventures and the operator’s non-profit partner Planeterra.
Papyrus also aims to promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people, and is the AWTE’s charity of choice for 2022 and also 2023.
"I do enjoy a challenge, but this completely took me out of my comfort zone," said Laverick. "I prefer to have my feet firmly on the ground up a mountain or swimming in a lake. However, the opportunity to help raise awareness and funding for Papyrus was worth every second of insecurity.
Laverick continued: "The build-up was a huge emotional rollercoaster on every level, but on the day, I was blessed with amazing support, wall-to-wall sunshine, and stunning views.
"I am still not too sure how I did it, and leaving the plane was all a bit of a blur, but the views were incredible. I think for my next challenge though, I will have my feet firmly back on sold ground."
Kenny, meanwhile, successfully completed the trek – her very first – to the top of 4,167-metre Mount Toubkal ahead of this week’s Abta Convention in Marrakesh.
AWTE chair Lindsay Garvey-Jones paid tribute to her colleagues, and to those in the travel industry willing to go above and beyond for others. "During 2022, we have organised a variety of events to help support those in travel and we will shortly be launching a series of events for 2023, so watch this space," added Garvey-Jones.
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