We run numerous overseas trips for our franchisees and last weekend, 21 of our consultants and corporate team headed to Peru to take on the challenging Inca trail walking up to nine hours on one day to raise money for breast cancer charity Pink Ribbon Foundation.
Nicknamed the ‘Breast Trek Ever’ the 25-mile trek is taking place over four days in collaboration with our Key Trade Partner, G Adventures, from 29th September to 9th October.
Franchisees will climb to altitudes of 4,200m and, on the third night, wake at 2am to trek the final stretch to step through the famous Sun Gate to the forgotten city of Machu Picchu.
Incredible porters will carry their kit – only 6kgs per person which includes sleeping bags, mats and clothing for the four days.
The initiative aims to raise £10,000 for breast cancer, our chosen charity in honour of one of our consultants, Rachael Coyne, a former police officer, who has twice survived multiple types of breast cancer while running her highly successful travel business with her husband Colman.
Paul Harrison, co-founder of The Travel Franchise and our customer-facing brand Not Just Travel says: “As a company we have a reputation for having a close-knit community of consultants and for supporting each other. This trip embodies the sense of camaraderie we foster and this particular challenge will bring participating franchisees even closer as they raise money for such an incredible cause close to our hearts.”
Our head of operations, Laura Simpson, and business development manager Paula Barker are accompanying our franchisees who will no doubt gain lots of tips about running a travel business as they trek five to nine hours every day!
And having both recently run the London marathon, their focus will be on giving franchisees mental support.
Sam Cummings, a franchisee that previously had no former training in travel said: “I have friends and family affected by breast cancer and love that I can combine doing something I’ve always wanted to do with raising money for a great cause. Many of my customers want to go to Machu Picchu and so to be able to share my trip first-hand and be able to bring it to life for other people will be a great boost to my business.”
Katie Bunting, global purpose specialist, G Adventures says: “It is a pleasure to host so many travel consultants on this extraordinary fundraising challenge to Peru. At G Adventures, we are all about community so we’re delighted to support such an important cause and bring the group together to make a positive difference. The experience will be transformational for everyone involved.”
Lisa Allen from the Pink Ribbon Foundation says: “We’ve collaborated with Not Just Travel for many months and so we know that the passion and enthusiasm of their consultants will make this initiative a huge success.”
