One lucky local resident, Trevor Lloyd (51 years) oldfrom Selly Oak was selected from hundred's of applicants to be a "Celebrity For The Day". This opportunity of a life time was offered as top prize in recognition to find a local person within the Birmingham area who goes beyond their daily duties to help others by budget hotel chain, Travelodge.
Trevor's entry won because he has completed 272 blood and plasma transfusions (136 pints of blood) over the past 25 years; which has helped save many lives.
Travelodge have been searching the Birmingham area to find a real star within the community, because they wanted to find an individual who deserved the privilege of being treated like an A-list celebrity to officially open their two new hotels in the city at Five Ways and Maypole.
Trevor celebrity day prize included the following:
- A £150 clothing allowance to purchase a new outfit for the day
- A limousine and driver for the full event
- On the day a personal appointment with a hairdresser stylist for a make-over
- First official appointment to officially open Birmingham Maypole Travelodge
- Second official appointment to officially open Birmingham Five Ways Travelodge - where a party was held in his honour
- Lunch at the famous Bank restaurant for Trevor and his family
- In the evening the family were taken to the theatre to see Cinderella
Trevor was born in the Ward End area of Birmingham; he has been married to Kay for 21 years and has three children aged 20, 18 and 17 years old. He is currently unemployed.
Trevor Lloyd said: "Winning this prize has been unbelievable; I have never won anything in my life. This prize has enabled me to get a new suit for the first time in 20 years and I have been able to share the experience with my family which is a great gift. I feel giving blood it is a quiet and decent way of helping the community and people in need".
Louise Berktay, spokesperson for the National Blood Service says: "People forget that blood is only at a patient's bedside because someone was generous enough to donate it - only 5% of the eligible population give blood. Blood donors play a vital role in the community. We rely entirely on volunteer donors and Mr Lloyd has shown remarkable dedication for all the time and effort that he has put in to blood donation. Amazing, is only one of the many words that can be used to highlight the outstanding generosity and difference that Terry has made to so many recipients over the last 25 years".
Travelodge's two new hotel openings at Birmingham Five Ways and Maypole have created a £5.3 million investment into the city and created 50 new jobs. Both hotels have been built in record time to be ready for business for the New Year.
Birmingham Five ways Travelodge (£2.9 million investment) is a 74-room hotel located at: Broadway Plaza, 220 Ladywood, Middleway, Birmingham, B16 8LP.
Birmingham Maypole (£2.4 million investment) is a 60-room hotel, located at: Maypole Lane, Birmingham, B14 5JF
Scott Rutherford, Travelodge District Manager for the Midlands said: "We have seen tremendous growth in budget accommodation within the Birmingham area. Our two new hotels are ideally located for visiting business and leisure travellers. Local residents can also benefit by putting up family and friends at the hotels to avoid the additional stress at home. We offer a comfortable room from as little as £15, which is the smart choice for any type of stop-over".
Within the last 12 months, Travelodge has invested a total of £11 million into Birmingham, it has grew its number of hotels by 50% (giving a total of 11 hotels, 752 rooms) in order to meet the city's growing demand for budget accommodation.
To make hotels more accessible to Birmingham's annual 2.5 million overnight visitors, Travelodge are offering rooms from as little as £15 per night. Book at www.travelodge.co.uk
For further information please contact:
Shakila Ahmed
PR Manager
Mobile: 07802 702 499
Email: Shakila.ahmed@travelodge.co.uk
Notes to editor:
*£15 room rate is an introductory opening offer, the leading rates at Birmingham Fiveways and Birmingham Maypole will start from £26 per room per night.
Travelodge has currently 300 hotels throughout the UK. These are conveniently located in most major UK city centres, airports, near to tourist attractions and motorways.
Travelodge offers an online booking service at www.travelodge.co.uk and also via telephone on 08700 850 950.
Competitively priced, Travelodge room rates start from just £26.00 per room, per night. (£26 room rates are subject to availability and can only be booked online).
Travelodge was the first budget brand to launch in the UK in 1985.