by David Bates
Confusion for distressed caravanner
A recently bereaved woman was refused a refund by her favourite caravan park for a honeymoon holiday she had booked prior to the death of her soon-to-be-wed partner.
Jean Kinahan, 78, from Croydon, lost her betrothed to an extensive battle with heart disease on Monday (27 July). Having been together for 20 years, the couple had intended to tie-the-knot when James Burgess was discharged from hospital.
Their prospective honeymoon to Bunn Leisure’s West Sands Holiday Park fell through when Burgess unfortunately passed away approximately six weeks after being admitted to Croydon University Hospital with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
There seems to have been some confusion between Bunn Leisure and Kinahan when she tried to reclaim her £424 fee.
Kinahan was understandably outraged at the company’s refusal: “They said if your partner was sick we could give you a refund but death doesn’t constitute a refund.”
“When I spoke to them again, they told me to fax or send over his death certificate – I couldn’t believe it”, added the grieving woman.
Bunn Leisure insist, however, that it is a misunderstanding blown out of proportion in a situation the company had previously never experienced.
Philip Mitcheson-Smith, general manager at Bunn Leisure said: “Death is not covered in the terms of the cancellation policy.
“If you have a cancellation, people need to provide documentary evidence and in this case it’s a death certificate.”
“Obviously we get a number of cancellation requests so our reception team have to work to the letter of the cancellation policy.”
Bunn Leisure are now working with Kinahan to come to a reasonable compromise and rectify this regrettable situation.
