A GROUP of Bridgwater travel agents have raised more than £400 for a local charity with an event coinciding with the town’s carnival.

The team from Hays Travel on Fore Street joined in with the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival festivities on November 2, 2024, offering homemade cakes and sweets to carnival goers, and entertaining the passing crowds with a ‘spot the plane’ game.

The £433 received on the day has gone to In Charley’s Memory, a charity supporting young people in Somerset with their mental health by offering counselling and support services.

Adelle Jones, branch manager at Hays Travel in Bridgwater, said: "Carnival is such an important occasion for the town and we were so happy to be a part of the atmosphere and community spirit.”

“Hays Travel Bridgwater are very proud to have sponsored the mask trail this year and enjoyed giving everyone a wave at the window as we proudly displayed Hamp Academy’s stunning mask in our window.”

“We have been humbled by everyone's generous donations for our local charity, In Charley's Memory, and are so pleased to be raising money for such a worthwhile cause that is close to all our hearts”, Adelle added.

Dawn Carey, CEO of In Charley's Memory, said: "We are always grateful that people choose to raise money for us at In Charley's Memory.”

“We are seeing more young people now than ever before, and it is this kindness that keeps our doors open and enables us to do the work we do, so thank you to each and every one of you."

Hays Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel agent, with branches across the UK - all committed to supporting their customers and the local communities they serve.

Every year each of Hays Travel’s 490 branches receives a £500 budget to use for fundraising and charity work in their local community.

In the last year, Hays Travel’s Local Community Partnership initiative across its retail network has donated over £140,000 to local charities.