Tributes to founder of Family Holiday Association
Joan Laurance, co-founder of the Family Holiday Association charity in 1975, has died at the age of 98.
She launched the FHA with her husband Patrick, who died in 2008, after a short break to Southend-on-Sea with their three-year-old daughter helped them to recover from their own personal tragedy of losing their younger, three-month-old daughter.
Both Joan and Patrick had also lost their fathers at a young age, so they knew the importance of creating happy memories on family holidays. With help from friends, neighbours and others, they created the FHA, which has gone on to help nearly 50,000 struggling families.
Former chair of the FHA Alison Rice said: "I have no doubt that everyone who met Joan thought she was a remarkable woman. I certainly did. Her selflessness and steadfast resolve will continue to be an inspiration to us all as we continue her legacy.
"Rather than complain about the lack of breaks available to struggling families, Joan and her husband Patrick turned their outrage into solid action and it’s thanks to them both that we can be proud of how many families we’ve helped since 1975.
"The thoughts of everyone at the charity are with Joan’s family at this difficult time. We offer them our deepest sympathies."
Joan was also an honorary life member of the Red Cross, for which she worked for over 30 years, being closely involved with the running of the trolley service at the Royal Free Hospital. She served for seven years on Hampstead Community Health Council and was also a Samaritan. She was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1986.
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025