Travel agents’ 50’s night with Elvis tribute brings in £1,000 for charity

A group of travel agents have raised £1,000 for charity by organising a 50’s night, complete with Elvis tribute act.

‘An Everlasting Smile’ was organised by the team at Hays Travel in Denton to raise money for Reuben’s Retreat, a charity supporting families of children living with medical complexities and those who have lost children.

More than 70 guests attended the event at Denton Golf Club on 28 February, which included a raffle and 50’s disco as well as the Elvis tribute act.

Reuben’s Retreat is especially close to the hearts of the team at Hays Travel in Denton as 16 year-old apprentice, Isaac Graham, is the older brother of Reuben, whom the charity was set up in memory of.

Reuben Graham tragically died of an aggressive brain tumour in 2012. His parents, Nicola and Mike Graham, later set up Reuben’s Retreat to support other families going through the loss of a child, as well as those living with medical illnesses.

Shannon Coulding of Reuben’s Retreat, said: “The 50's night looked like it was an absolutely fabulous evening enjoyed by everyone. Such a fabulous amount raised too!

We're forever grateful for your support and can't tell you how special it was for Isaac to be involved in his first corporate fundraiser which involved Reuben's Elvis.”

Elvis impersonator, Darren Leonard, is known as ‘Reuben’s Elvis’ as he has vowed to always give his time for free to support Reuben’s Retreat fundraising events.

Denton Hays Travel branch manager, Pearl Hartley, said: “I’m absolutely elated with the success of our event and the amount of money we raised for Reuben's Retreat. I am a very proud manager of Hays Travel Denton - to create something so successful with the team has been incredible.

“I have always been a big supporter of Reuben's Retreat and now I have Isaac on my team it makes things even more special.”