Palmerston North Gesture Touches UK Children’s Lives
Stephen Parsons House of Travel Spreads Christmas Kindness
Seventy-four terminally ill children in the United Kingdom will benefit from Christmas generosity from the other side of
the world.
When a Manawatu school tour group had a late itinerary change, Palmerston North travel agent, Stephen Parsons, was left
with unused tickets to the hit musical, Wicked, being staged at London’s West End.
The tickets couldn’t be refunded so he offered them to the group’s tour company, Contiki, for charitable purposes.
In turn Contiki General Manager – Sales, Scott Cleaver, contacted the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which supports
United Kingdom families with a child aged up to 18 years old with a life threatening or terminal illness.
Then something remarkable happened. The Rainbow Trust alerted its supporters that a fundraiser had been held which
reached the value of the tickets and more. This met the cost of bringing 74 seriously ill youngsters home to be with
their families over Christmas.
Stephen Parsons, Managing Director of Stephen Parsons House of Travel, is overwhelmed at the outcome.
“Christmas is a time for families and the giving and receiving of gifts. For so many families to have their children
home for Christmas, touches my heart. I will contact the Rainbow Trust and express my appreciation to them for their
generosity,” Stephen adds.
Scott Cleaver is pleased so many lives have been positively affected. “It’s a wonderful result and will bring so much
joy to so many people,” he says.
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