Suitcases full of toiletries and hygiene products for Ukrainian refugees have been donated by Clia RiverView conference delegates in Budapest.
Attendees were encouraged to pack items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, women’s sanitary towels and nappies in their luggage when travelling to the Hungarian capital for the event taking place across the weekend.
Items were brought to the city’s InterContinental hotel hosting the conference business sessions on Sunday (20 March), where a delivery to the Hungarian Red Cross was organised by Clia.
The association said it had received "a number of messages" in the days leading up to its conference from delegates asking how they could support the humanitarian effort in Ukraine, which neighbours Hungary.
One such person who contacted Clia was Devon-based GoCruise agent Christina Astill (pictured above, third right) who told TTG “it was the least we could do to help”.
“We’re coming to the conference to learn, have fun and catch up with everyone and we had so much excess space in our suitcases, I thought we couldn’t come and not play our part,” she said.
“I had watched a news report about how Budapest’s train station was a main hub for refugees coming from Ukraine and was planning to go down there and bring things with me to give out.
"It’s fantastic that we are all able to help in some small way and we really hope it makes a difference to those who need it most.”
Clia also encouraged delegates to make donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal during the conference.
Last week TTG Media launched its TTG Ukraine Crisis Appeal, with funds going directly to The Ukraine Crisis Appeal run by the British Red Cross.
A free and open travel industry has always been a driver of democracy across the globe. TTG is urging the UK and Ireland travel industry to raise urgent funds for the thousands of Ukrainian refugees driven out of their homes by this war.
All funds collected by the TTG Ukraine Crisis Appeal will go directly to The Ukraine Crisis Appeal run by the British Red Cross, which supports those most affected.
We thank each and every one of you who is able to contribute.
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