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Devitt Cup Award, Going the extra mile for a fellow Club member

Published: 25 February 2010

The presentation of the Devitt Cup took place on The Caravan Club Lounge at the Boat & Caravan Show at the NEC, on Tuesday 23rd February 2010.

The Devitt Cup was given to The Caravan Club by Devitt Insurance Services, in 1992, to mark 25 years of happy collaboration with The Club's Travel Service and its Red Pennant Travel Insurance scheme.

Red Pennant is a service built upon the co-operation of The Club, its members,  underwriters and the service providers for the benefit of all, with the aim of providing peace of mind for Club members whilst caravanning in Europe.

The Devitt Cup is presented to a person, or persons, that have, in the view of The Club or Club members, carried out a service or action worthy of recognition, while covered by or carrying out a service covered under Red Pennant Travel Insurance.

Members can nominate somebody they feel has provided exceptional help and support in difficult, and sadly, sometimes harrowing situations.

This was the case with this years' nominator and nominees.  Mr Chris Adams and his wife  Bronagh and baby son were on holiday in Rome in 2009 - sadly the unthinkable happened and Mrs Adams passed away after a long illness, leaving Chris and baby Ronan alone in Rome.

Fellow members Mr and Mrs Tottle proved that good Samaritans do indeed exist and proceeded to help Chris and Ronan through this terrible time, making endless phone calls to liaise with The Club and its services. They even flew out to support Chris and Ronan while Bronagh was ill in hospital and sadly after she passed away they also helped with the arrangements, to bring the family and their caravan home. Mostly they provided emotional support as Chris was quite understandably deeply shocked.

Chris Adams subsequently nominated both Paul and Michelle Tottle to receive the Devitt Cup in recognition of their wonderful acts of compassion and kindness. Caravan Club Chairman, Grenville Chamberlain, made the presentation, accompanied by Stephen Kiefer, Devitt's Executive Director.

Bill Smith, The Caravan Club's Emergency Services Manager, commented, "It has been fitting that the Devitt Cup has been presented to two very generous-spirited members who so significantly helped a fellow Club member in a time of need and sorrow.  The Club offers its most sincere condolences to Chris and Ronan Adams."

Contact Information

Nikki Nichol     
Head of PR      
01342 336 797 / 07771 834 443   
nikki.nichol@caravanclub.co.uk   

Maxine Soghmanian        
PR Manager         
01342 336 768/ 07989 423 162     
maxine.soghmanian@caravanclub.co.uk 

Notes to Editors

As Europe's premier touring organisation, The Caravan Club represents the interests of over one million caravanners, motor caravanners and trailer tent owners.