UK hotels donate £150,000 worth of breaks to ‘hidden heroes'

UK hotels have donated more than £150,000 worth of breaks in 2018 to recognise volunteers in the charity sector.

Working with charity Room to Reward, the likes of Bespoke hotels, Legacy hotels, Glh and Spendid Hospitality Group have donated unsold room nights to charities that nominate their staff and volunteers for a break.

The charity was launched in 2015 and since then some 220 hotels have joined the scheme, which counts Institute of Hospitality chief executive Peter Ducker and Bespoke hotels chairman Robin Sheppard as ambassadors. It aims to reallocate unsold rooms to "hidden heroes" who work to help others.

Room to Reward director Adam Terpening said: "It's been an amazing, record-breaking year for our charity.

"We have been able to recognise almost 300 Hidden Heroes who truly make a difference to those in need. Their stories are humbling, inspiring and uplifting. Through the wonderful support of our hotel partners, we are able to thank them for what they do."

Sheppard added that the charity was all about guilt free giving.

He said: "Collectively, we can really make a difference to those who deserve our thanks and applause."

Scope is one beneficiary of Room to Reward. Retail volunteer manager Celia Abbott said: "We couldn't do what we do at Scope without our volunteers. They are helping to make this country a better place for disabled people. Room to Reward has been a great way to recognise their hard work and dedication. It's really simple but effective and offers volunteers the opportunity to take a well-deserved break. It's given us a meaningful way to say thank you and show our appreciation to volunteers."

According to Room to Reward, the UK hotel industry loses some £5b a year to unsold rooms. Terpening added: "The industry loses approximately £5billion every year to unsold rooms," said Mr. Terpening. "Our aim is to donate just £1million of that to Hidden Heroes across the U.K. 2018 has been a fantastic year, 2019 will be even better."

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