Travel agent Sandy Murray, who founded the Yorkshire Travel Trade Ball, has died, aged 78.
Sandy, who ran Sandy Travel in Normanton, Wakefield until 2012 and then Sandy’s Travel Escapes, died at the weekend, after a long illness.
She started the Yorkshire Ball in 1998 and it has since raised more than £130,000 for various charities. She was also an ABTA Regional Chair.
Idle Travel Director Tony Mann, who took over as Yorkshire Ball organiser last year after Sandy became ill, told Travel Gossip: “She was just a fantastic friend. She will be sadly missed.”
The 2025 Yorkshire Ball takes place this Thursday (25 August) and Tony said: “It’s going to be a tribute to her.
“The Yorkshire Ball continues. We are going to raise a glass. It will be a celebration of Sandy.”
Typically Holidays Managing Director Daniele Broccoli said: ”Very sad news to hear that a true lady of our travel industry has passed away. Sandy was a kind and genuine person who truly embodied what it means to love this industry. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. My deepest condolences to her family at this difficult time.”
The Travel Representation Company founder Richard Hey said Sandy was a ‘great friend’.
“You were so well loved by absolutely everyone in travel and everyone who met you – and to me, such a great friend,” he said.
“The time and effort you put in to organising The Yorkshire Ball for over 20 years – and still going strong today. Fly high, Sandy.”
ABTA Membership Engagement Manager Den Ashby said: “Very sad news, the passing of a true travel industry legend and great friend, I’ve known Sandy Murray for over 35 years and she was the kindest most considerate person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. A former ABTA Regional Chair for Yorkshire & The North Midlands and the organiser of The Yorkshire Ball which I had the pleasure of attending many times as her guest.”
