#Challenge95 is a fundraising initiative created by WBR to help mobilise African school children by providing them with affordable and durable bicycles. The idea is that this will help them to access their schools and community, enabling a better education and future.  Just £95 puts a bicycle into the hands of a young student, giving them the ability to get to school on time and ready to learn.

As we’re passionate about cycling here at Bott & Co, we appreciate the power of cycling and the opportunities owning a bike can open up to those who were previously not fortunate enough to have one.

The concept for the fundraising is simple: every time a member of the Bott Cycle Team wins a race during their cycle season, Bott & Co will donate £95 to WBR, who will then use their network to distribute a bike to young students in Zambia, Africa.

The cycle season runs from March until October and there are over 60 races in which to compete, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the team to win and make the campaign a great success.

The fundraising initiative has the full support of the captain of the Bott Cycle Team, Andy Wright, who says he hopes the team might win between 8-12 races throughout the year:

“This is a great idea. We love that as a team we now have the opportunity to help spread cycling activity globally, but more importantly, improve somebody’s life. I also hope it might give us a little extra motivation during races when the going gets tough!”

Development Director at WBR, Steve Cromwell, is also thrilled with the support being offered:

“We are thrilled that the Bott & Co team is joining #Challenge95 and mobilising school children in rural Africa with bicycles so they can follow their dreams.

Going on to provide some more detail about the project, he told us Challenge95 “is an easy way for riders to make a massive difference for those who struggle with distance daily. Whether a beginner or a pro, people can use their wheels to raise funds and empower African school children.”

To get the campaign started in earnest, Bott & Co are donating £285 for three bikes to cover the three races the cycle team have already won this season.

You can find out more about World Bicycle Relief and their work by visiting their website.

The post Bott & Co and the Bott Cycle Team are supporting #Challenge95! appeared first on Bott & Co.

We catch up with Gemma to find out about her role, studies and what motivates her.

What are the challenges you face working in the Flight Delay Team at Bott & Co?

I would say the most challenging thing I face is juggling the work load while keeping clients up to date on their individual claims.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is definitely telling clients when their claim has been settled and telling them how much compensation they will receive. Clients who have been fobbed off by the airlines are often surprised that we managed to get them the compensation the airline originally said they weren’t eligible for.

You are studying through the Bott Academy, how are you finding this?

I find studying through the Bott Academy very rewarding, however it can be stressful at times with working full time, especially when an exam is coming up. I particularly like that I can pick which units I want to study and when I want to do these.

Why did you choose to study CILEx, what are your goals?

Before starting at Bott & Co I was accepted by a university to study Criminology, I was also offered a full time job in retail which at the time seemed more appealing. Studying through the Bott Academy allows me to do both.

We hear you do a lot for charity, including running. Can you tell us about how this all came about?

Sadly my friend Laura died from lung cancer in 2014 and since then a group of us decided to raise money for both the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Macmillan. So far over £30,000 has been raised in her memory.

What are your charity challenge achievements to date and which are you most proud of?

So far I have completed the Manchester Half Marathon, the Manchester Marathon and a mud run. We still have a sky dive planned and I would like to run another marathon. I’m so proud of everything I’ve done so far.

Other than running, what other hobbies do you have?

Other than running, studying and working full-time, I find it hard to have time for anything else. When I do have any spare time, I like to spend it with my family and my puppy.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

In five years’ time I hope to have completed my level 6 diploma in Law and Practice and then I’ll be able to continue to develop my career within the legal profession.

If you could visit place anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I would love to visit Australia. I have lots of family who live over there who always come over here to see us. It would be nice to one day be able to go out to visit them.

What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever received?

My best ever present has to have been for my 21st Birthday, my boyfriend took me to New York! I had always wanted to visit and I had the best time ever.

The post 5 minutes with…Gemma McCarthy appeared first on Bott & Co.

This challenge will be one of David’s toughest yet, especially on day two where David and his team will tackle the most famous Pyrenean climb, the “Cols du Tourmalet”.

This exceptional climb or as the French would say ‘Hors Categorie’, is the most featured climb in the Tour de France, making over 80 appearances and including a kilometre climb at 10.5%.

The first part of day one consists of the journey to Bertren and then the riders will embark on a ‘warm-up’ ride of 33 miles before they get some much needed rest in preparation for the main ride the following day.

Day two will be an early start for David and the team, as they begin their 69 mile ride through the delightful Pyrenean Mountains. This is the ride in which the team will climb the “Cols de Tourmalet” which will be a killer on the legs. However, they will have to save some leg power as not long after will they come up to another huge climb when they reach the “Cols d’ Aspin”. Here they will face another steep climb of 8% before hitting the ‘recovery’ stage of the ride; this is where they can truly take in the views of the beautiful French countryside.

Day three will present a more laid back approach, as the riders will ultimately decide the plan for the day. Being only 18 miles away from the Spanish border, the option of having a leisurely cycle across the border and enjoying some traditional Tapas, might be a popular choice among David and the team.

David is taking part in the challenge in memory of his father who was diagnosed with Cancer in 2006. All the money he raises will be donated to Cancer Research UK, and you can donate via his JustGiving page here

“I am half excited and half dreading the inevitable pain of going up some pretty serious climbs but I have used the challenge as an opportunity to really remember my dad (a great man) and to raise money to try and stop others from others from following his path.”

We are wishing David and team the best of luck as they embark on this very demanding challenge, especially as the forecast is currently showing rain and possible thunderstorms!

Good luck David!

The post David Bott faces his hardest cycle challenge yet in memory of his father. appeared first on Bott & Co.

More recently, Phil’s hard work and dedication was noticed by the Holiday Illness Team and he joined them as a Legal Assistant in June 2016.

Phil likes finding money in his pocket that he didn’t realise was there, hiking with friends and that crippling ache in his muscles following a good gym session!

We catch up with Phil to find out more about what makes him tick.

What were you doing before you joined Bott & Co?

Before working for Bott & Co I was working as a sales assistant at John Lewis. I started as a Christmas temp in stock management and was placed in the customer collection department. I worked three nights a week until 10pm and every weekend from September to January. After Christmas I had an interview to make my contract permanent and on New Year’s Day I started in the electrical department. It was pretty hectic being thrown into a new area without knowing what to do in the middle of the sale period!

John Lewis were particularly good at working around my Camp America placements so I ended up staying for around four years before realising that I wanted to pursue a career in law.

What did your experience working in American summer camps teach you?

It’s always really difficult to describe my work at camp because the only people that ever really understand it are the people that have been themselves.

The camp I worked at was split into two separate camps, one for boys and one for girls. They shared a lake front and twice a week the two camps would convene for social activities.

Working there taught me lots of skills that have definitely helped me in my life post-camp and I’m sure they’ll continue to come in handy.

Learning to live in a community of two hundred or so people in a small town in Upstate New York was definitely a bit of a shock to the system! We didn’t have electricity in most of our buildings, phone service was poor (at best) and we weren’t really allowed to use any electronic devices in front of the children. The idea is that they get back to nature and learn to live and communicate with one another rather than alongside each other. At first this seemed bizarre but now I don’t think too much about being thrown into awkward conversations without having a phone to pretend to distract you.

I also made some incredible friends. Living in such a condensed environment means that you all experience each other’s ups and downs. You learn to support each other through everything and after a while you learn to just laugh things off and realise that the situation could pretty much always be worse.

I remember one particular camping trip I went on with eight kids and one other member of staff. We were canoeing across a fairly decent sized lake as part of a four day trip and we got caught in a thunderstorm. It was absolutely throwing it down, I was soaked to the bone and my canoe was slowly pooling water. Everything in my rucksack was sodden and we had to just keep going. If I’m ever getting stressed at my desk because things are taking me longer than I’d like, or if something doesn’t work out as planned, I think about days like those and crack on with it.

What sparked your initial interest in working in the legal industry?

My initial interest in a career in the legal industry began when I started watching Silk on BBC One. Maxine Peake played a defence barrister fighting her way through her career with the intention of becoming a QC. The courtroom scenes used to amaze me and I’d often think ‘I’d love to do that one day’. In reality however, I didn’t think it was ever achievable and so I continued with my original intentions of becoming a teacher.

It wasn’t until I’d graduated that I had a change of heart and started actively looking at how to get into law. Just before I went to camp for my last summer I applied to study my GDL at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and my application was accepted a few days before I was due to fly out. At the time I was so excited – I literally had no idea how much hard work it would all be!

What are your biggest challenges in the Holiday Sickness Team?

Being fairly new to the department I haven’t really been exposed to everything yet I don’t think. The main thing that came as a bit of a shock is definitely the workload. Suddenly I’ve got extra things like post and files to deal with whereas previously I just needed to be on top of phone calls and emails. Also, as the department is expanding the workload is ever increasing so I’m trying to make sure that I get everything done on time. Learning to prioritise is definitely a challenge.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I enjoy explaining things to clients in a way that they understand. For some people this is the first time they have ever used a law firm so they don’t always grasp some of the legal jargon used or know quite what is going to happen throughout their claim. It’s easy for us all to refer to things using acronyms or brush over in-depth details because we know our colleagues understand, but sometimes clients are too scared to ask questions and It’s nice to take time to explain things for them so that they fully appreciate how we can help.

In your spare time, how do you like to wind down?

With being at university and also working full time around my studies, I don’t get much free time so I usually make the most of an opportunity to do absolutely nothing! Sometimes you can’t beat watching 12 hours of a box set back to back without getting up to eat. I do love going to the gym though and I find that it’s one of the few things that helps me clear my head.

How would your friends describe you?

This is a difficult one; I’ve had to consult them before writing this!

I’m pretty organised with most things and I like to take my time so I’ve developed a bit of a nickname of being an old man. I’m also known to be quite straightforward and to the point with my feelings so I also get called the tin man every now and again, particularly if I’m totally missing the point in some emotional topic. I think this is the reason why I hate shows such as the X-factor and Britain’s Got Talent so much; I absolutely cannot stand a sob story!

What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

I would have to say America, most probably New York. I’ve been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time both in the city and within the rest of the state and so I’ve seen both sides really. While there are the obvious sights of the city itself, there’s always something new to do and there are loads of independent bars and shops that are really cool to discover. I also like the fact that the state itself is so huge…a few hours’ drive north of the city and you feel like you’re in another world; no phone signal and nothing to see but trees and bright blue skies.

The post 5 minutes with…Phil Joy appeared first on Bott & Co.

Garrick David Bott was a great man who lived a very energetic and healthy up until his diagnosis in 2006. Garrick was a black belt in Jujitsu and also played rugby to a very high standard in his prime. During this difficult time, he was treated by some fantastic Macmillan nurses while staying at Queenscourt Hospice in Southport. David’s brave deed for his father, follows on from his Pyrenean Cycle Challenge last month, where he tackled some very steep climbs but raised over £2,000 overall.

So in light of David “Braving the Shave” we thought it was only right to reminisce on some of the fantastic hairstyles that he has sported over the years.

The Messy Look

Sported by David in his early twenties, we love the laid-back approach he took with his hairstyle. Curls are evident in this hairstyle, but with such a short cut the curls don’t play much of a part just yet.

Ringlets Galore

With this hairstyle David decided to fully embrace his curls and went with the famous ringlets. We particularly like the perfect curl that falls in front of his face, great addition to the look David!

The Asymmetric Cut

David decided to mix it up a little with this hairstyle, by going for a side parting. His voluminous hair and curls made the Asymmetric Cut look very unique and, in our minds, it looks exceptional.

Current Look

Nowadays, David sports a much more tamed hairstyle that goes great with his business attire or under his trusty cycle helmet. This is what he will be saying goodbye to with his Brave the Shave challenge.

If you would like to donate towards David’s ‘Brave the Shave’ then please visit his page and give as much as you can for this fantastic cause.

David will be having his head shaved at Famous Henry’s on Monday 25th July at 11:00am, so feel free to come down and watch. We will also be holding a Wacky Hair Day in support of David on the day with prizes up for grabs for the wackiest hairstyle.

The post Dave is braving the shave! appeared first on Bott & Co.

The event took place at Famous Henry’s in Wilmslow who kindly offered to shave David’s head for Macmillan Cancer Support. In the lead up to the event, David said one of his biggest worries about the shave was what the shape of his head was going to be like, and that this thought had even kept him up at night.

To help raise as much money for Macmillan, we also decided to hold a Wacky Hair Day around the office. We had some fantastic colours and hairstyles on the day and everyone who took part in the Wacky Hair Day, accompanied David to Famous Henry’s for moral support. David’s youngest daughter, Olivia, also joined her dad while he had his head shaved and she made sure it was all documented in some great photos.

Take a look below at the before and after shots of David and his hair!

David decided to shave his head for Macmillan Cancer support in memory of his father, who unfortunately passed away in 2006 after a short 3 month battle with cancer.

David’s father was treated by some fantastic Macmillan nurses while staying at Queenscourt Hospice in Southport, during the difficult three months. David’s brave deed for his father, follows on from his Pyrenean Cycle Challenge last month, where he tackled some very steep climbs but raised over £2,000 overall.

If you would like to donate towards David’s ‘Brave the Shave’ then please visit his page and give as much as you can for this fantastic cause.

The post Dave has braved the shave! appeared first on Bott & Co.

Let’s learn a little bit more about the newest member of the Operations Team.

What do you like most about working at Bott & Co?

My favourite thing about working at Bott & Co is the friends I’ve made over the years. I really like the atmosphere at Bott & Co and the way that they put on events throughout the year for all of the staff to enjoy. Everyone at Bott & Co works very hard and it’s great to be rewarded for this and let my hair down.

What other roles have you done in your time at Bott & Co?

I have had a lot of different roles since starting at Bott & Co. The experience I have gained has been invaluable. Everything I have learnt in each role has assisted me in my next. I started off as an Office Junior and I then progressed to Post Room Manager. From there I have worked in the accounts department and done a little bit of work with some of the other companies we work closely with. My current position is in the Operations Team and I am soon to be joining the Flight Delay Team as they continue to have large volumes of work to get through daily. I will continue to assist in the accounts department in the mornings.

What has been your favourite role so far?

I couldn’t choose a favourite role if I’m honest. I have helped out and worked in so many different departments throughout the years and I have enjoyed being a part of all of them. Each one is so different to the other but all fit well together. I suppose I’m just lucky to be able to do so much within the company #KnowledgeIsPower.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

I play football for Egerton Ladies which takes up at least three days of my week. If I’m not playing football I’m either watching it or I’m at the gym. I just like to generally keep fit, so when I do have spare time I like to relax whilst binge watching box sets and spending time with my friends.

How did you get into football and when did your big passion for Manchester City start?

My Dad took me to Maine Road to watch City when I was about 5 years old and I’ve been hooked ever since (I’m not sure why because we were relegated to ‘Division 1’ that year). I’ve had a season ticket for around 10 years so there must have been something in the water that kept bringing me back.

The first memory I have of playing football is playing a game of doubles on the school fields with the boys shortly after attending my first City game. I was pretending to be Georgi Kinkladze and it kick started from there. I now pretend to be Sergio Aguero on the pitch… I think I’d give him a good run for his money to be fair!

Where is your favourite place to visit?

Anybody that knows me doesn’t need telling that my favourite place to visit is Icmeler, Turkey.

I have been going on holiday there since I was young and continued to go when I was old enough to travel on my own. I have many close friends that live there that I have known for over 10 years and I class them as my family, so I try to go over as much as I can to see them and obviously get some sun! It’s a beautiful place and somewhere that is very close to my heart.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

Well, I have been at Bott & Co for eight years now and I have done most of the jobs the company has to offer apart from the Directors’ roles, so in 10 years’ time…who knows!

The post 5 minutes with… Tuesday Porritt appeared first on Bott & Co.

What brought you to Bott & Co?

After living in London for 5 years, it was time for a change of scenery. I am originally from Durham and studied in Preston, so the North of England is really my home. I moved to Wilmslow without a job, and having worked in retail customer services for the past seven years I was looking for a new, exciting challenge.

What is the best part about being an Admin Assistant at Bott & Co?

For me the best part of being an Admin Assistant is speaking to and building relationships with our clients.

I think it is important for our clients to have someone on the end of the telephone that they feel they can speak to; who will be friendly, able to listen and happy to help – and I hope that I am one of those people.

It is also rewarding to know that you have been able to help to settle a claim and that there has been a successful outcome for our client.

Tell us about your journalism degree.

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a teacher, however in high school I decided that I would go for the more ‘glamorous’ option – journalism.

I studied at the University of Central Lancashire, and I can safely say that they were some of the best years of my life.

The degree itself was really interesting – I took the TV and radio route which meant that I spent a lot of time pretending to be a TV reporter or recording mock radio shows. We also had lectures from really interesting people such as Janet Street Porter and Channel 4’s Jon Snow.

As part of the course we had to complete work experience placements and I was extremely lucky to spend a week at Coronation Street. It was crazy to walk on the famous cobbles and meet the cast. I also edited an episode of the show which was aired on TV – my 25 minutes of fame!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

One of the things that I like to do to relax in my spare time is to bake. I’m not sure I am up to the ‘Great British Bake Off’ standard but I do enjoy baking for friends and family, and of course for the charity bake sales that we hold at Bott & Co throughout the year.

I am also somewhat of an antiques lover and like to visit charity shops and fayres to find interesting little trinkets. My best finds so far have been a beautiful pair of miniature brass candle stick holders. I also have a full Royal Albert tea set, which was all purchased in charity shops – I suppose it can’t be too bad if I am helping charities, right?

I also volunteer for Girl Guiding UK as a Brownies leader.

You mention you are involved with Girl Guides/Brownies, tell us how you got into this and a little more about it.

I first started volunteering when I lived in London. It is really easy to get stuck in the ‘rat race’ so I decided that I wanted to do more with my spare time, and do something that would be both beneficial to me and hopefully to others.

I am a huge animal lover so I applied, and was accepted, to volunteer as a Kennel Support Volunteer at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. This was an incredible experience, working as part of a huge team to make sure that all of the animals in their care are well looked after until they find their forever home.

At the same time, I also started to volunteer for Girl Guides UK. I am currently a leader for Brownies and have also previously helped out with Rainbows too.

Many moons ago, I was a Brownie myself and I absolutely loved it, so I thought that it would be a great way to give back.

Being part of Girl Guiding has allowed me to be involved with and do so many amazing things that you wouldn’t usually do – I did my first aid training in the stables in the Buckingham Palace Mews, I attended the Big Brownie Sleepover in the Museum of London, and in October we are going on our pack holiday to Knowsley Safari Park.

Perhaps one of my favourite moments of being involved with Girl Guiding was receiving a letter from the Queen (by way of her Lady in Waiting) to thank the Brownies for the birthday cards we sent to Her Majesty for her 90th birthday earlier this year.

We hear that your favourite season is autumn/winter, tell us why this time of year is so special to you.

Without doubt, autumn and winter are my favourite times of the year.

I love the colour of the leaves, crisp autumn mornings and wrapping up warm in scarves and bobble hats.

The celebrations in the later part of the year are also my favourite. I love to decorate the house for Halloween and visit the local fireworks displays.

I also love the anticipation and build-up of Christmas – buying gifts, decorating the Christmas tree and seeing everyone so happy and excited about the days ahead.

What is the best place you have visited and why?

My favourite place to visit is Germany. I first visited on a school trip when I was in high school and I will be making my seventh visit later this year.

I love everything about Germany; the people are so nice, the towns and cities are beautiful, and perhaps most importantly – they appear to love Christmas just as much as I do!

Last December I visited the Christmas markets in Munich. They were absolutely incredible – rows and rows of market stalls selling everything from traditional gingerbread to hand-painted nutcracker soldiers. I loved the city so much that I am going back again this year followed by a trip to Nuremburg.

What are you most looking forward to in 2017?

My boyfriend Ken and I have just purchased our first house so I imagine that 2017 will mostly be spent decorating and turning it into a beautiful home.

I will hopefully also be able to plan a visit, or two, to Germany!

The post 5 minutes with…Holly Atkinson appeared first on Bott & Co.

What did you do before joining Bott & Co?

I graduated in Law from the University of Manchester and worked a variety of part-time jobs during my degree, from sales advisor at Topshop to front of house hospitality at Manchester United.

Initially I wanted to work in London after graduating, but having done some work experience over there I realised how much of a home girl I am and I realised that I would miss Manchester too much!

When did you join Bott & Co?

I joined Bott in August 2015 after graduating the same summer. It all happened fairly quickly, but after a summer in Thailand I was eager to jump straight into employment. I was nervous applying for my first full-time job, but I was excited at the prospect of joining a new department.

Tell us more about your role…

I work within the Holiday Sickness Team. In any one day I can be doing a variety of tasks such as setting up new claims, advising clients on offers and dealing with court proceedings. I have also started to negotiate offers with the other side, which is something I am looking forward to doing more frequently. I never envisaged to be working in this area of law, but there is a real sense of excitement within the team, which makes my job so enjoyable.

When I started the department it was fairly new with only two other team members, but now I am part of an expanding team of 12. I am also lucky to be surrounded by experienced solicitors in the Liability Department who are always on hand to pass on their words of wisdom.

What are you career aspirations?

I am currently studying my LPC part-time to qualify as a solicitor. Having passed my first year I have nine months remaining before I am accredited with this qualification. I plan to explore other areas of law in the future, however I am thoroughly enjoying working within civil litigation and embracing all the responsibility I am given.

What are the challenges you face working full-time and studying part-time?

Managing my time effectively and prioritisation are definitively the two skills I have had to master quicker than others. Once I have overcome my own procrastination issues I often struggle for time around my university schedule. On days I have wanted to stay late in the office I have had to leave work early to attend class on time. In an ideal world I would have preferred to study my LPC full-time, but I know working in a law firm gives me invaluable experience and will only open doors to further opportunities.

What are your hobbies?

I have always been an avid traveller as it opens my eyes to ways of life I would never know. Last year I went on a solo adventure to Iceland and it was one of the most enthralling trips I have experienced to date. Snowmobiling over an Icelandic glacier and watching the northern lights dazzle above me was a surreal experience. The summer just gone I jam packed Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines and Dubai into just over two weeks, and it was equally incredible for different reasons. I have always believed that you should make time for your passions, especially in this line of work where the demanding nature of the job can easily take over.

Alongside travelling I would say I am an adrenaline junkie and love anything that gets the heart pumping. Having already completed a bungee jump, skydiving is the next adrenaline-seeking activity on my bucket list that I would love to complete at the next destination I travel to. Outside of work I have always loved outdoor activities and keeping active. Having played netball for 10 years one of my goals at Bott & Co is to set up a netball team that we can compete in weekly.

Where would you like to travel to next?

I would love to go on a wildlife safari in South Africa for my next trip. Although I dislike domestic pets, there is something about witnessing beautiful creatures in their natural habitat which fascinates me. However, following Brexit I should probably make the most of travelling through Europe visa free!

What would be your dream job?

I have always wanted a career that encapsulates my passions, life purpose and technical skill into one package. I would love to build a career as a successful travel blogger whilst also engaging in humanitarian work. I find that travelling helps me become more open minded and tolerant of differences. It also reminds me of how fortunate I am and encourages me to give more back.

How would you describe yourself?

I would probably describe myself as competitive and a lazy perfectionist. Being competitive can sometimes be synonymous with narcissism and greed, but I find that being competitive forces me to be innovative and explore other options to get ahead. I would also say lazy perfectionist as I am often torn between wanting to do absolutely everything, and wanting to do absolutely nothing!

The post 5 minutes with… Nelema Akhtar appeared first on Bott & Co.

An analysis of all our claims showed the following:

• Egypt as having 144% more holiday illness claims than in Mexico.
• Mexico with 22 % more holiday illness claims than the Dominican Republic.
• Dominican Republic having 197% more holiday illness claims than the Canary Islands and Morocco.

But what happens if your long awaited trip is spent bed ridden and running to the toilet every other minute?

More and more awareness is being raised about being able to claim compensation for people who have fallen ill as a result of staying in an all-inclusive basis in foreign hotels. If you do become ill abroad, by law you are protected by

The Package Holiday Regulations 1992 (which means you have booked a package holiday) the tour operator is liable for all the services they provided for you. E.g. flights, accommodation, car hire.

Local standards in a country such as Egypt may not be what your average holidaymaker would expect if they holidayed in the UK because their hygiene standards are far lower. The consequences of breaking the Food Safety Act 1990 in the UK and the EEC can be:

• A fine up to £20,000
• A prison sentence of up to six months
• Business paying civil compensation to affected customers

What situations cause food poisoning?

The top five destinations listed above have some of the warmest climates in the world which means there is a higher chance of bacteria multiplying when food is left out. A lot of these all-inclusive resorts have a buffet service and open restaurants where food is left out for long periods of time without changing it regularly. Food that generally makes people unwell is because of the following:

• Insects found in the food
• Birds and cats roaming around the food area
• Food not being kept at a constant temperature
• Hot food being added to cold food
• Food being reheated
• Staff members not wearing gloves whilst handling food

Illnesses can also be contracted by drinking the tap water that hotels provide at meal times. There have been incidences of bottled water being refilled by the hotel and alcoholic drinks being watered down with tap water.

Many hotels in Egypt often recycle the effluent through the garden sprinkler system at night in order to save on sewage removal and water charges. Clients often complain of the smell of sewage whilst walking around the hotel grounds. Many hotels are also known to wash the food in tap water which effectively means they are washing the food in dirty sewage water.

Types of food poisoning that can be contracted

So what type of illnesses can people contract from food and drink? Typical gastro intestinal illness such as vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches and fatigue are extremely common but also the more serious food poisoning illnesses such as:

• Salmonella – this is often found in raw poultry
• Typhoid – this is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water and contaminated faeces.
• Campylobacter – this is a common cause of food related illnesses. It spreads very easily from uncooked to cooked foods and requires only a few bacteria to cause illness.
• E. coli – most strains of E Coli are completely harmless to the body but there are strains that are very dangerous, in particular E Coli o157 which can be found in water supplies.

Client experiences

With Egypt, Mexico and Dominican Republic being in the top three for the worst for holiday sickness, some of our clients have spoken about their holiday illness experiences:

Jamie Ainsworth from Litchfield travelled to Ocean Blue and Sand Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on 27th August 2016. He began experiencing typical gastro intestinal symptoms on the second day of his stay such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and severe diarrhoea. He was also bedridden for three days out of his two week stay. The symptoms lasted nine days out of 14 nights which meant the majority of the holiday was ruined for him and his partner.

People don’t realise the lifelong consequences that food poisoning can have

Natalie Stringer from Manchester travelled to Hurghada, Egypt and stayed at the Sindbad Aqua Hotel & Spa on the 21st July 2015 for seven nights. On the third day of her stay she initially had the symptoms of stomach cramps, nausea and felt extremely fatigued. Natalie was still ill when travelling home, which made the journey particularly unpleasant for her.

She said, “The hotel failed to ensure that animals, birds, flies and other insects did not have access to the food service area. Needless to say the illness that I developed ruined the remainder of my holiday. I could not participate in normal holiday activities, nor could I make the most of the all-inclusive package I had paid for.”

Raising awareness of holiday illness

Andrew Peters, Legal Manager at Bott & Co talks about the importance of raising awareness for claiming compensation if you suffer with a holiday illness and how it can have a lasting impact on people.

“People don’t realise the lifelong consequences that food poisoning can have. For example contacting Salmonella, Campylobacter or E. coli can lead to serious conditions such as reactive arthritis or post infective irritable bowel syndrome. These can be life changing conditions. Only yesterday I spoke to a new client who contracted Salmonella on holiday which in turn caused reactive arthritis resulting in a three week stay in hospital and an inability to work.”

“Many people are not aware that you can claim for compensation under the Package Tours Regulations. Bott & Co are committed to raising awareness of their rights as a consumer to pursue claims arising from illnesses contracted whilst on holiday.”

“Clients often come to us after their complaint has been ignored by the Tour Operator who don’t want to accept responsibility. That’s why Bott & Co are here to help.”

Further Information

Holiday claims – frequently asked questions

The post Top five worst winter sun destinations for holiday illness claims appeared first on Bott & Co.

When not at work, Laurence spends his time in a variety of different ways. He is accomplished in three musical instruments: guitar, bass and piano and can occasionally be found honing his proficiency with each of these.
We take 5 minutes to chat to Laurence and get to know more about him.

Why did you choose the legal profession?

Like most people, I had thought long and hard about what kind of career would suit me in the long-term and I felt extremely unfulfilled and dissatisfied with the job I had in retail management.

I have always had a keen interest in the law and the role it plays in society as a whole, having bought various books on the subject despite not having a legal academic background. I have always believed that the best way to learn is to go out and find information for yourself rather than relying solely on schooling.

Not long after graduating from university, I began to realise that I craved a career that would provide not only some intellectual challenge but also diversity in the work I do and that offered the potential for growth. The legal profession seemed to tick all of those boxes and then some!

You are working in a new area of law; tell us a little bit about holiday illness compensation.

As package holidays have become more commonplace, the law has had to adapt to meet the changes and apply to a wide range of situations to ensure that customers of tour operators are protected.

If you book a package holiday through a UK tour operator, most of the major parts of your trip will be covered by ‘The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992’.

These regulations are the basis on which we pursue our client’s claims for compensation; they state that the tour operator is responsible for all the separate parts of your holiday. This means that your transport, accommodation and food whilst on holiday are all covered by British legislation.

We have used these regulations to make successful claims for clients who have had suffered from food poisoning and even bedbugs whilst on holiday.

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

I think the art of ‘plate spinning’ is certainly something that I believe will prove to be a continuous challenge throughout my legal career. Keeping the multitude of simpler tasks at bay whilst dealing with the things that require the most attention is certainly the most challenging aspect of my job.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Being able to satisfy our clients by leading them through the process involved in pursuing a claim. It’s also very rewarding to be able to achieve a substantial award for a client who has had a particularly rotten time on holiday!

We understand you are very into your music, tell us a bit about how this started?

I began to play the guitar at the age of 14 due to my love of bands such as The Smiths, The Beatles, Oasis and many more. I loved the discipline that came with the craft of playing the guitar and this extended to bass guitar and then the piano too. Ultimately this led to my decision to study music at university, as it was my real passion at the time and a subject that I excelled in. However, I never really saw music as being a way of earning a living.

What do you feel most proud of?

I’ve never been a quitter and I think that’s something that has very much held me in good stead in my life. I believe that it’s a slippery slope if you adopt a quitting mentality.

What would you be if you weren’t a Legal Assistant?

I would most probably go down the route of becoming a fully-fledged music teacher. I taught guitar in private tuition lessons for years whilst I was studying at university and even before that.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Ideally, with the funded education that I am receiving through the Bott Academy, I will have qualified with a level 6 diploma in law and practice. This will enable me to qualify as a lawyer in addition to the experience that I will have gained alongside the academic study.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I recently heard of an island off the coast of Japan called ‘Aogashima’ which is home to only about 170 people. There is nothing around for miles but apparently the night sky offers a perfect view of the Milky Way. I think being able to witness our own galaxy with zero light pollution would be an unforgettable experience and one that you would be hard-pushed to match!

The post 5 minutes with…Laurence Taylor appeared first on Bott & Co.

#Challenge95 is a fundraising initiative created by WBR to help mobilise African school children by providing them with affordable and durable bicycles. The idea is that this will help them to access their schools and community, enabling a better education and future.  Just £95 puts a bicycle into the hands of a young student, giving them the ability to get to school on time and ready to learn.

As we’re passionate about cycling here at Bott & Co, we appreciate the power of cycling and the opportunities owning a bike can open up to those who were previously not fortunate enough to have one.

The concept for the fundraising is simple: every time a member of the Bott Cycle Team wins a race during their cycle season, Bott & Co will donate £95 to WBR, who will then use their network to distribute a bike to young students in Zambia, Africa.

The cycle season runs from March until October and there are over 60 races in which to compete, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the team to win and make the campaign a great success.

The fundraising initiative has the full support of the captain of the Bott Cycle Team, Andy Wright, who says he hopes the team might win between 8-12 races throughout the year:

“This is a great idea. We love that as a team we now have the opportunity to help spread cycling activity globally, but more importantly, improve somebody’s life. I also hope it might give us a little extra motivation during races when the going gets tough!”

Development Director at WBR, Steve Cromwell, is also thrilled with the support being offered:

“We are thrilled that the Bott & Co team is joining #Challenge95 and mobilising school children in rural Africa with bicycles so they can follow their dreams.

Going on to provide some more detail about the project, he told us Challenge95 “is an easy way for riders to make a massive difference for those who struggle with distance daily. Whether a beginner or a pro, people can use their wheels to raise funds and empower African school children.”

To get the campaign started in earnest, Bott & Co are donating £285 for three bikes to cover the three races the cycle team have already won this season.

You can find out more about World Bicycle Relief and their work by visiting their website.

The post Bott & Co and the Bott Cycle Team are supporting #Challenge95! appeared first on Bott & Co.