Mum says hotel should demolish bungalow where her children died
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Thomas Cook has agreed to make substantial financial donations to a list of charities at the request of the parents of Bobby and Christi Shepherd who died while on holiday in Corfu.
The children’s father Neil Shepherd and mother Sharon Wood made the announcement this afternoon following a private meeting with Thomas Cook CEO Peter Fankhauser, during which he apologised to them directly for Bobby and Christi’s deaths in 2006.
Mrs Wood also revealed that she had asked Fankhauser to push for the demolition of Bungalow 112 at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel where Bobby and Christi died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
She has asked for it to be turned into a playground in memory of the youngsters, who were 6 and 7 when they died.
Charities that will benefit from the Thomas Cook donations include CO Gas Safety and the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, in memory of the children’s grandparents, and the NSPCC, which, said Mr Shepherd, was a charity dear to his children’s hearts.
The amount of the donations to each of the charities was not disclosed.
During a press conference following their meeting with Fankhauser, their solictor Leslie Thomas QC said: "For the first time in this tragedy, Thomas Cook have done the right thing.
"They have listened to Mr Shepherd and Mrs Wood and learned how their company effectively destroyed their lives."
He said the payment to the charities was a ‘financial gesture of goodwill’.
"I hope that Thomas Cook and everyone who has defended its wrongdoings realises the impact of their actions on families like this," he added.
Mrs Wood said: "No-one can bring back our children. We accept it might be time to look forward to the future."
Thomas Cook did not confirm the donations, or say whether bungalow 112 would be demolished, but Fankhauser issued the following statement: "I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet and listen to Sharon Wood and Neil Shepherd. Having heard what they have had to say today my heart breaks for them.
"This is a meeting which should have happened when I first took over as chief executive in November and frankly something Thomas Cook should have done nine years ago.
"Following our meeting today, we came to a mutual understanding which I hope will enable them to move on with their lives."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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