BA introduced a new African service (ex LGW) two or three years ago just before Christmas.
The Cabin Crew were caught for the 23rd Dec departure from available. The Flight Crew from Reserve.
The Flight Crew checked in at LGW to find that 9 of the Cabin Crew had gone sick that morning. The service was cancelled and the return crew who had planned to be home Christmas Eve had their trip extended to almost the new year!
Perhaps BA, being a caring employer, should have dispatched a team of doctors to the homes of those sick crew members.