Farepak collapse victims fight back

Thousands of people were hit by Farepak's collapse

The collapse of the Christmas savings company Farepak ruined Christmas 2006 for thousands of families.

At its peak, the firm had an annual turnover of an estimated £81m as people sought to spread the cost of Christmas over the year.

The dream was shattered when the company went under on 13 October 2006, taking millions of pounds of savers' cash with it.

One year on, some of those hit by the crash have rebuilt their lives and are helping others to avoid the same problems they suffered.

Nearly everybody in Burns Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex was affected by Farepak's demise.

It wasn't just about support, we could do something here, we could actually make a huge noise about it Suzy Hall

"I lost £1,000, which is basically what I put aside for all my grandchildren, so that was all the presents and the food for the celebration - gone," said one resident, Maria Hutton.

"And the worst thing is no explanation no communication we weren't even told, we had to phone to find out the what the future was, and we were basically told - forget it, there is none, we can't help - don't ring the number, go away," she told BBC One's the One Show.

Joan Taylor, who lives with her husband on disability benefits, had saved with Farepak for 25 years.

She lost £650, "That was all my family's presents, my grandchildren and my food."

The residents of Burns Avenue gained a partial respite when an anonymous donor helped to refund some of their money.

I've realised that there are people out there, that we do have a voice and we are there to support one another and we do care Maria Hutton

But this year, they are determined not to get caught out again.

Joan and Maria have started their own savings scheme.

"We all pay the same, so when it comes out in November, we'll all get the same plus interest from the bank," said Joan.

For single mother Suzy Hall, from Edinburgh, the Farepak crash was a life-changing experience.

"I was, you know, one of the fortunate Farepak losers, so to speak ,that I had this knowledge of company law and insolvency law," she said.

This knowledge and her determination saw her at the forefront of a campaign to fight for the rights affected by Farepak.

It took her to the corridors of power in Westminster and the Scottish Parliament.

But her informal role as a consumer champion is now official as she is director of Consumer Affairs of the CPA, the Christmas Prepayment Association.

Joan Taylor and Maria Hutton have started their own savings scheme

"My role is to sit on the board, but also should any customers have complaints that they can't resolve, then they can phone me direct," she explained.

The Farepak liquidation was a Christmas catastrophe, but as Suzy and Maria explain, it has also become a triumph of people power.

"It wasn't just about support, we could do something here, we could actually make a huge noise about it," says Suzy.

"We're not gonna lie down, we're not gonna accept this, we want to know where our money is."

Maria Hutton has a similar view.

"I've realised that there are people out there, that we do have a voice and we are there to support one another and we do care."

To find out more about this story, watch the One Show, BBC One, Friday, 12 October 2007 at 1900 BST.