(From left) Qatar Duty Free Head of Beauty Ria Chauhan, The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher Irene Revilla, WiTR+ President Sarah Branquinho and Qatar Duty Free Head of Loyalty, Sponsorship & Events Katie Kiddle show the giant-sized (in every sense) US$10,000 cheque from Qatar Duty Free

QATAR. Qatar Duty Free made an extraordinary US$10,000 donation to Morgan’s Army at a Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) gathering held yesterday evening (5 February) during The Trinity Forum in Doha, marking one of the most poignant moments of the week.

The reception was hosted jointly by Qatar Duty Free and The Moodie Davitt Report ahead of the The Trinity Forum Opening Cocktail at The St. Regis, Doha. The WiTR+ event brought together nearly 80 women from the global travel retail community, with attendees from Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and South America.

The WiTR+ gathering brought together members, female leaders who had contributed on stage at The Trinity Forum, and those attending for the first time

Morgan’s Army, based in Wales, UK, was nominated as WiTR+ charity of the year by The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher Irene Revilla on behalf of her late colleague Sinead Moodie, the publication’s Chief Operating Officer, who sadly passed away on 1 February following a battle with cancer.

The charity was founded by Natalie and Matthew Ridler after their son Morgan died from cancer at the age of three. It supports families across South Wales affected by childhood cancer, with a particular focus on siblings who are often overlooked while a brother or sister undergoes treatment

Revilla spoke about Morgan’s Army and Sinead Moodie’s legacy, before reading a message from The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie, who was unable to attend this year’s Trinity Forum due to the loss of his daughter.

The industry response to #KickCancerThon has been astonishing. We are profiling each local effort and the chosen cause in question – click here or on the image to view our Case Studies.

“You will all be aware that Sinead passed last Sunday after the bravest, and most uncomplaining resistance to such a terrible diagnosis,” the message read. “She was determined from the get-go that she would define her own karma, not her disease. Morgan’s Army forms part of that karma.

“She also created #KickCancerThon, not in her own name but to help raise visibility and funds for cancer research and related causes globally. The travel retail community has responded magnificently as we join forces around the world to kick cancer where it deserves to be kicked! In the butt and out of the room!”

Flying high: Qatar Airways Captain Beth Ribbeck shared her journey to four-stripe status, highlighting the early support from her parents that helped turn her dream of becoming a pilot into reality

Moodie added: “I am delighted to donate £1,000 (US$1359) personally to WiTR’s chosen charity, Morgan’s Army and I hope the women – and men – of the travel retail community will also respond with whatever donation they can afford. It is not the sum, it is the thought. Thank you and I hope you might all raise a glass to Sinead tonight in loving memory.”

Following this emotional moment, Qatar Duty Free surprised attendees by announcing a US$10,000 donation to Morgan’s Army, taking WiTR+ well on its way towards its original target of raising €15,000 (US$17,686) to support 500 children – a target that WiTR+ has confirmed will be revised upwards.

WiTR+ President Sarah Branquinho remarked: “Our thanks to The Moodie Davitt Report, and to Qatar Duty Free Head of Loyalty, Sponsorship & Events Katie Kiddle and her team, and to the inimitable and big-hearted Thabet Musleh [Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer] who made this fabulous donation on behalf of Qatar Airways.” ✈