A Perth salon manager has been hailed for collecting donations for Thomas Cook staff on their last flight back to the UK.
Ashleigh MacLennan, who manages Angus Gordon Hairdressing in the city centre, had been in Las Vegas with her family to celebrate her brother’s wedding, and flew back to Manchester on Monday morning.
The cabin crew found out mid-flight the company had collapsed and they would be losing their jobs, before making the announcement to passengers.
Ashleigh, 31, acted quickly to organise a collection for staff and everybody on board put their hands in their pockets.
She said: “The crew explained as we were taking off there was some uncertainty with regards to the airline and were very emotional.
“Towards the end of the flight the crew updated the passengers that Thomas Cook had ceased trading in the early hours of the morning. The captain them came on to thank the crew and explain that they wouldn’t be paid.
“I took two of the Thomas Cook pillow cases and wrote on them ‘whip round for our amazing crew’. I sent one to the front of the plane and one to the back and everyone happily contributed.”
Organising the collection, which reportedly raised thousands of pounds for the staff, has been praised for her efforts but the former Perth Grammar School pupil Ashleigh, who now lives in Glasgow, described the jump to action as just “a small act of kindness.”
“We knew the airline were in a bit of bother but not to that extent,” she added.
“When the crew announced that they had ceased trading they were so upset, it was heartbreaking to see.
“It was when the pilot announced that this amazing crew would not then be getting paid for the flight I felt it was only right that we showed our appreciation.
“When the manager received the bags she was crying and hugged me so tight. They were so grateful and made an emotional thank you to everyone.”