While no Thomson or First Choice customers were affected by the earthquake, many of our customers and team both in the UK and across the world are keen to contribute to the relief effort for the earthquake.

Thomson Airways has been liaising with DFID (Department for International Development) to offer free cargo space for aid supplies to Haiti via our flights to the Dominican Republic. While we wait to hear back from DFID, we have also offered 40 free seats on flights over the next few days to the Disasters’ Emergency Committee to give to aid workers, who need to reach the disaster zone as quickly as possible.

Over in the Dominican Republic, which neighbours Haiti, both Thomson and First Choice staff and customers are supporting a number of different aid initiatives. Through regular fundraising events in resort, there is over $10,000 in our charity pot, which will go to help local initiatives, such as convoys of essential, basic supplies over to people in Haiti. A number of the local in staff in the hotels are from Haiti or have family there, so in the first instance money will go towards helping their families and communities in this time of need.

Christian Cull, Communications Director for TUI UK says; “Thomson and First Choice are committed to helping those affected by the disaster in anyway possible and we will continue to look for ways that we can offer support.

“Staff and customers in neighbouring Dominican Republic are particularly well placed to help and customers are being encouraged to donate toiletries and clothing, at the end of their holiday to convoys going over to Haiti, where they will be gratefully received.”