HOTEL DONATES DUVETS AND PILLOWS TO LOCAL HOMELESS CHARITY
Founder of women’s travel website Maiden Voyage, Carolyn Pearson, is passionate about supporting the homeless, and brought her business and this passion together to encourage hotels to make a simple difference.
To many charities’ dismay, hotels often dispose of otherwise usable consumables and furnishings when they ready to be replaced. These hotels have their opportunity to support their local communities by donating their old supplies instead of adding to the already overflowing landfills.
Pearson said, “I thought I would test the idea of having hotels donate unwanted items to organisations by introducing Oulton Hall to Calderdale SmartMove, a local charity that provides a high quality, client-centred service assisting homeless and vulnerably housed people.”
Oulton Hall, Leeds, one of Maiden Voyage’s certified ‘female friendly’ hotels, jumped at the opportunity to get involved by donating items such as duvet’s, pillows and furniture from bedrooms that were undergoing refurbishment.
The charity was delighted, “we rely on donations such as this to enable us to provide homeless and vulnerably housed people across Calderdale with the necessary things to help them set up home and begin their journey with us,” said Craig George, Fundraising & Relationship Manager of Calderdale Smartmove.
By donating their old duvets and pillows, not only did Oulton Hall help the environment by recycling, they also helped those who are most vulnerable. Giving away bedding and other things like furniture, spare toiletries etc. is not always at the forefront of hotelier’s minds but for the likes of Oulton hotel, it was a natural way to help those in need.
“We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile charity and help others by offering duvets and pillows, and are happy that they will be put to good use.” said Claire Steven, General Manager of Oulton Hall.
Most bedding that is deemed useless to hotels would be of considerable benefit to many of the charities, similar to Calderdale Smartmove, that are run nationwide. “This is just one way in which hotels can make a big difference to the lives of many and we hope this will inspire more hotels to do the same,” said Pearson “and this marks the start of bigger ideas we have on bringing the homeless and hotel sectors together.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Oulton Hall
Yorkshire’s 18th century mansion-turned-hotel, Oulton Hall has 152 spacious bedrooms, 9 conference and meeting rooms for up to 350 people, a 27 hole golf course and 300 complimentary car parking spaces. The hotel is available for weddings, as well as conferences, throughout the year.
About Calderdale Smartmove
Calderdale SmartMove is a registered charity, with an office in the centre of Halifax, which assists homeless and vulnerably housed people to find accommodation in Calderdale. They have an assortment of services that include very successful learning and training programmes. Established in July 1998, they have a Management Committee made up of volunteer members and staff who oversee and plan SmartMove activities.
About Maiden-voyage.com
Maiden-voyage.com is the global specialist in the female business travel market. With over 8000 members and over 40 local ambassadors, Maiden Voyage is used by large organisations and individual business travellers, women can connect through the platform with other women when travelling on business. Maiden Voyage also recommends female friendly hotels and provides female traveller safety training.