Firefighter’s Charity Calendar is Hot Stuff

Firefighters at Kent International Airport have raised more than £6,850 by stripping off for their 2008 calendar, with all profits going to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The fundraising calendar, which features 12 of Thanet’s finest baring their torsos and posing with firefighting gear, has proved a hit with the public with more than 800 sold.

This enabled organiser Mick Hill to hand over a cheque to Trudi Willis of the Motor Neurone Disease Association at a special presentation event.

Mick’s cousin Lucy Fountain was diagnosed with the rapidly progressive and incurable condition in 2004. The chronic disease attacks the motor neurones (nerve cells) that send messages from the brain to the muscles and leaves sufferers unable to walk, talk or feed themselves. Lucy, 25, died in April last year.

Lucy’s battle with the disease meant Kent International Airport’s Fire and Rescue team, who as well as looking after fire safety at the airport also act as co-responders in the surrounding area, did not need much persuading to shed their clothes for the calendar.

Mick, who lives in Margate, said: “I managed to recruit everyone from my shift, Blue Watch, and a couple of the other lads – everyone at the airport was really supportive from the moment I suggested it.

“I’ve also been taken aback by the support and generosity of local people. Wherever we’ve been out selling the calendars, whether it’s been Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs, Herne Bay or Canterbury, people have been fantastic and I really want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has bought one.”

Around 100 people in the UK are diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease every month. A further 100 people every month lose their fight against the disease. With no cure, half die within 14 months of their diagnosis.
There are still some calendars available at the recommended price of £7.99 (plus £1.99 postage and packaging), although only a donation is now required. If you would like to buy one, please send a cheque payable to Mick Hill to RFFS, Kent International Airport, PO Box 500, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 5BP.

For further information about the calendar or the inspiration behind it visit: www.kiafire.org.uk

Ends February 12, 2008

Caption (left to right): Fred Costen (March), Trudi Willis, John Allerton (May), Adam Garbett (December),
Iain Hamilton (September), Mick Hill (August), Richard Pitcher (April), Paul Dale (November)

andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk
richard@maxim-pr.co.uk

Out of the Hat and Off on Holiday

It’s up, up and away for three lucky winners who scooped the European travel prizes on offer at Kent International Airport’s recent Holiday Show.

The show, held on January 12, attracted record numbers keen to find out more about the Thanet airport’s destinations and take advantage of exclusive offers to the Mediterranean and new 2008 routes Gran Canaria and Jersey. Many of the estimated 4,000 visitors entered a free draw to win prizes donated by Kent International’s holiday providers. These included a package holiday for two to sunny Majorca, courtesy of Kent Escapes; return flights to Verona with Newmarket Holidays and return flights to Jersey supplied by Discover Jersey.

The winner of the Majorca trip was Pat New from Birchington. Mrs M Davison from Gillingham bagged the Verona flights, while Debbie Collis from Deal will be flying out to Jersey.

Matt Clarke presenting Mr and Mrs New (left) and Debbie Collis (right) with their prizes
On Sunday (January 20), the winners collected their prizes from Kent International Airport’s Chief Executive Matt Clarke.

Mr Clarke said: “Congratulations to all the lucky winners. I’m sure they will each have a fantastic holiday and enjoy the experience of flying from Kent International Airport.

“We were delighted with the response to our Holiday Show, as were the travel agents and companies who exhibited, and the range of discounted flights and holidays on offer meant everyone who came along was a winner.”

People interested in finding out more about the holiday destinations served from Kent International Airport should contact Brockmans Travel on 01843 826170 or visit www.kia-m.com

Going… Going… Gone!

Demand for summer getaways from Kent International Airport has resulted in some routes, including Croatia on the Adriatic coast, selling out completely.Kent International’s holiday providers -– Newmarket Holidays, Kent Escapes and newcomers C. I. Travel Service Ltd – have all experienced strong sales following the successful Holiday Show at the airport, near Ramsgate, in January.

Proving particularly popular have been 2008’s new routes to Croatia, Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, and Jersey. Flying from Kent International means passengers benefit from a relaxed experience with uncongested roads right to the airport, parking beside the terminal and 60 minute check-in times. This is the first year Newmarket Holidays has offered trips to Croatia from Kent International. Breaks taking in the wonderful walled city of Dubrovnik, the stunning lakes at Plitvice National Park, vibrant Split and Roman Pula were soon snapped up.

Alison Keeble, Regional Charter Director for Newmarket Holidays, said: “We were testing the water when we launched Croatia but the route has sold out extremely quickly. We will definitely be offering more flights to Croatia next year.” Walkers’ paradise Madeira also sold out although, in this case, Newmarket has been able to respond by adding an extra flight to its planned 2008 programme. Established Italian destinations such as Tuscany and Lake Garda are also in demand. Commenting, Alison Keeble said: “What we do at Newmarket seems to be very popular with holidaymakers flying from Kent International and, in particular, the local market.”

It has been a similar story for Kent International Airport’s other operators. Kent Escapes has reported increased interest in its package holidays after this year offering Las Palmas, instead of Alicante, alongside perennial favourite Palma in Majorca.And Peter Drew, Managing Director of C. I. Travel Service Ltd, said: “We’re delighted that the Jersey route has proven to be so popular. Sales have so far exceeded all our expectations”.The news that the holiday providers were doing brisk business delighted Matt Clarke, Chief Executive at Kent International Airport.

Matt Clarke said: “The passenger options from Kent International Airport continue to improve every year. This summer we have a great selection of holidays available and I’m not surprised exciting destinations like Croatia, Las Palmas and Jersey are proving such a hit with Kent residents.”To find out more about Newmarket Holidays available from Kent International Airport visit www.newmarketholidays.co.uk or call 0845 226 7766. Kent Escapes is a brand of Seguro Holidays: www.seguroholidays.com or 0845 676 0043.

C.I. Travel Service Ltd operates the brands Jersey Travel and Discover Jersey: www.jerseytravel.com and 01534 496600 or www.discoverjersey.com and 0844 415 6651 or book at your local travel agency.