School trip team - doing our bit!
We're a charity conscious bunch and get involved with numerous good causes both locally and worldwide. On Sunday 21st March 2010, we are going to enter three teams, wearing fancy dress, into the Brighton & Hove Sport Relief 1, 3 and 6 mile runs. We're hoping to raise as much money as possible while getting fit at the same time! If you want to find an event in your area then click on the red nose for more details.
The Thomson Sport Ball was on the 2nd March and was a huge success, raising over £75,000 for Sport Relief!
Find out more about the Sport Relief Ball (Sugar Babes, ABC & Diversity!)
We've also raised thousands of pounds for the RNIB by recycling our stamps and we've helped the Family Holiday Association through sponsoring our staff in the London Marathon. This year, 2 members of the Travelbound team have volunteered to run and please get in touch if you would like to sponsor them or find out more about the FHA.
Visit the Family Holiday Association's website
Let's get hairy! Some of our team recently joined the fight against prostrate cancer by growing a moustache throughout November. The results were sort of impressive however, we managed to raise over £700 for the Movember foundation!
See photos of the Travelbound MoBros!
What we're doing at the Chateau du Molay
We own the Chateau du Molay, in Normandy, and it is one of our most popular destinations welcoming hundreds of school groups every year. With great facilities and stunning grounds this is the perfect location for Normandy's many excursions and there's no better place for a school trip.
The chateau has recently received a GOLD AWARD for its efforts to promote and achieve sustainability. This makes us the proud owners of one of the most sustainable hotels in France!
How we won the Travelife Gold Award
Travelife
Travelbound use the Travelife Sustainability System to 
audit our hotel properties. This is fast becoming an industry-standard tool and ensures that our accommodations are functioning as sustainably as possible and that they have clear objectives on how they can improve their performance.
Our chateau in Normandy has recently received a GOLD AWARD standard and we will make sure this continues throughout all of our properties and resorts.
School Trip Headquarters - what's happening?
As sustainability is close to our hearts we try to promote a healthy, green lifestyle where we work. The link below will show you some examples of how we are trying to 'go green' at our Brighton HQ.
Why is Travelbound such a green and pleasant company to work for?
Carbon Off-sets
We don't believe carbon off-setting is the only answer to climate change however, we do believe that if our customers are aware of their carbon footprints then they will be more likely to make sustainable decisions. There are also many sustainable projects throughout the world that might not receive funding were it not for carbon off-setting.
We encourage our customers to make their trips by coach or train where they can and not to fly when they are in resort. Sometimes, due to time constraints and wanting to see as much as possible, it's not always possible to use a coach so we run an optional carbon off-set scheme through the Climate Care Organisation. This organisation directly supports projects around the world that help off-set carbon emissions. Those projects focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
"In Zambia, water powered electricity will bring clean energy to the village of Kalene powering schools and hospitals."
To calculate the carbon footprint of your trip, or to off-set some or all of your emissions, please contact our Sustainable Tour Co-ordinator, Rob Perkins by e-mail: rob.perkins@travelbound.co.uk. Rob holds an MSc in Ecotourism and will be only too happy to help you.
Green school trip advice guide
Travel Foundation
The Travel Foundation supports a variety of fantastic projects that increase the well-being of local communities and protect the environment of the places we visit.
We are proud to raise money for the Foundation and through them we are also offering a free holiday at the Chateau du Molay for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
