A group of lads who were scammed out of thousands of pounds for their first holiday have been given the VIP treatment at a popular Magaluf nightspot.
The Chester-le-Street teenagers believed they had a paid £12,500 to a third party travel agent who made a booking through Blue Sea Holidays for their flights and 10 nights all inclusive at a hotel.
But Blue Sea Holidays was forced to cancel the accommodation on the day they were due to travel after only receiving a deposit for the holiday, with £9,000 outstanding.
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With their flights paid, the group of 13 lads flew to Spain but faced a scramble to find and pay for new accommodation.
After hearing about their plight Richie Prior, managing director of Globo Balear in Magaluf, organised a night out for the boys at Gringos in the resort, which would normally cost more than 450 euros.
Richie said: "After Blue Sea Holidays contacted me and told me their story we were only too pleased to help. We met up with the boys last night at Gringos.
!They were a great bunch who looked like they’d enjoyed their time in Magaluf. We gave them the VIP tickets and they were looking forward to a good night out."
In addition to the night out, Blue Sea Holidays has also stepped in further to help the lads.
Andy Brewer, director of Blue Sea Holidays, said: "We have arranged a free private transfer back to the airport on Thursday for the boys freeing up some of their funds."
Mr Brewer said they were forced to cancel the holiday when they didn't receive the full funds despite "numerous promises of payment" and didn't cancel the hotel until the day of departure.
The group after they discovered they had been scammed when they arrived at Newcastle International Airport.
Julie McMahon, whose son Billy Shield, 18, is on the holiday, launched the fundraiser with the hope the lads could recoup some of the money they lost which has raised almost £3,000 for the group.
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