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
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