Mum-of-three left unemployed after Thomas Cook collapse says the news has left her 'feeling numb'

Nicola Teeling has had a difficult two years after the dad of her children, Andrew Hurst, died in 2018 of sepsis, and her eldest daughter Lexie was diagnosed with Type One diabetes.

She said that along with her children, working for Thomas Cook and earning her 'wings' has been her biggest success.

Nicola with her parents on the day she got 'her wings'

So after the news broke today that the travel operator had collapsed, leaving thousands out of work and holidaymakers stranded, Nicola says she was left in "utter shock".

The 38-year-old, who is a mum-of-three, said: "It's pretty devastating to be honest, it honestly was such a shock.

"After the kids losing their dad and then Lexie being diagnosed with diabetes I thought we were finally doing OK – now this.

"We heard things, but kept being told they were in talks and because they have been going so long we felt confident that this would not happen.

"I was concerned there may be some redundancies, we knew it wasn't in the best shape, but nothing like this.

"I've been working for Thomas Cook for three years now and I'm more upset that I'll never get to put on that uniform again and those people I know who have worked for this company all of their lives.

"It's heartbreaking. I've got colleagues who were on that last flight from Orlando, and they are devastated.

Nicola's name badge

"I was lucky that I was off, but some colleagues are stranded in the likes of Cancun with no idea how they will get home and knowing they don't have a job anymore. It's horrible.

"My heart goes out to those people whose holidays have been ruined by this, fortunately they will at least get their money back which is some silver lining.

"But for those who have lost their jobs, it was just broken to us so brutally and sudden. Just an utter shock.

"I just have to keep thinking that this is meant to happen and we'll have a silver lining too."

The tourism giant announced early on Monday that it had ceased trading after failing to secure a last-ditch rescue deal, leaving an estimated 150,000 Britons abroad awaiting repatriation.