First Choice is to donate £150,000-worth of free holidays to armed forces families who have suffered the loss or injury of a loved one.

 

The operator will cover the cost of air fares, accommodation and international transfers for bereaved families and the families of injured service men and women.

 

One holiday for every 20 bookings will be provided to families of service personnel.

 

Holidaymakers need to log on to www.firstchoice.co.uk/heroes, call 0800 916 5164 or buy a copy of The Sun newspaper and take it into a First Choice shop when booking their holiday by February 20.

 

People booking through the campaign will be entered into a draw for a chance to win an all inclusive summer holiday in 2011 for two adults and two children.

 

Christian Cull, communications director of First Choice parent company TUI UK and Ireland, said: “By taking part in Holidays for Heroes the public will be giving holidays to those that deserve it most. It is our way of saying thank you.’’

The campaign has won the backing of the Ministry of Defence.

 

Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell said: “We always welcome any gestures of support for our brave personnel.

 

“We know they value greatly any recognition of the sacrifice they make on behalf of this country. This offer of free holidays is generous and will be warmly received.”

 

Actress Tamzin Outhwaite, who starred as an army sergeant in the BBC drama series Red Cap, is supporting the campaign.

 

 

“I’m really thrilled to be supporting the First Choice Holidays for Heroes campaign,” she said.

 

“With the help of the British public, First Choice will give away up to £150,000 worth of free holidays to those service men or women who have been injured or families who have suffered a bereavement.

 

“Our troops put themselves in harms way to protect us on a daily basis and through this campaign we can go some way to giving something back, a gift of precious holiday time together with their loved ones.’’

 

by Phil Davies