A GROUP of Hampshire teenagers who faced losing £20,000 in the collapse of airline Monarch have had their trip of a lifetime saved.

Nineteen swimmers aged 12 to 19 and six staff at the Hamble Aquatics Swim Team faced having their £20,000 trip to a training camp in Lanzarote cancelled after the airline went into administration.

The team had already paid £12,500 for the accommodation and £8,330 for the flight.

But when they found out that Monarch had gone into administration they faced losing the money which meant they could not afford to pay for new flights.

As a not-for-profit organisation the club could not hold a credit card and paid for the tickets through a bank transfer and therefore could not have a refund.

But once they heard of the swimming club’s plight, Barclays Bank decided to refund £8,330 to the club and has donated £1,000 to cover additional costs.

Treasurer Annabel Smoker: “ Everything is back to where it was. Barclays have been very generous, they weren’t obliged to give us the money. They stepped in and saved the trip. Their response was very quick and they couldn’t be more helpful. We are delighted for the children; they train hard and the thought that they wouldn’t be able to go was sad.”

A Barclays spokesperson said the bank was hoping to complete the refund last night. He added: “These are unique circumstances which Hamble Aquatics have found themselves.

“We’re delighted to be able to step in and continue to provide the opportunity for these young talented swimmers to look forward and enjoy their trip of a lifetime.”

The club has booked a new flight with travel firm Jet2 and will fly from Birmingham on October 19.

They will train at Club La Santa in a bid to get ready for county, regional and national championships set to take place next year.