In addition the hotel chain is sponsoring heart transplant survivor, Kieran Sandwell on his challenge of ‘Trail of Two Hearts’ - which involves him walking the coastline of the UK
Travelodge, the UK’s largest independent hotel chain which operates 547 hotels has announced that its new nominated company charity is The British Heart Foundation. The hotel chain’s 10,000 staff members chose the charity, which is on a mission to win the fight against heart and circulatory disease, which kills nearly 160,000 people in the UK each year.
The hotel chain has pledged to raise a quarter of million pounds for the charity over the next two years to help fund life saving research. Also in support of its partnership all hotel managers and head office staff, including the executive team have undergone life-saving CPR training to help the charity create a nation of lifesavers and dramatically improve survival rates from cardiac arrest.
All of the company’s 547 hotel teams and head office staff will work together on their fund raising programme which includes hundreds of fundraising activities such as: the London to Brighton Bike Ride, Travelodge’s flagship fundraiser Red Day, a bespoke pedometer challenge, cricket matches, marathons and even the occasional cake sale.
In addition, Travelodge is also sponsoring heart transplant survivor, Kieran Sandwell who has undertaken the challenge of walking 5,000 miles around the British coastline in a bid to raise £20,000 for The British Heart Foundation.
Kieran, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, began his ‘Trail of Two Hearts’ voyage in February this year to celebrate his victory over heart disease. This week Kieran reached his halfway milestone at Travelodge Dumfries where he was welcomed by the hotel team and given a room to rest up on the comfy king size Travelodge Dreamer bed.
Tom Edwards, Travelodge Revenue Director and Charity Sponsor said: “We are delighted to support the British Heart Foundation and to sponsor Kieran by providing great nights sleep throughout his mammoth challenge.“
“The British Heart Foundation’s pioneering research and discoveries of vital treatments are crucial in leading the fight against heart disease. We are very much looking forward to working with The British Heart Foundation and to save lives today and in the future.”
Kieran Sandwell said: “The Inspiration for my challenge came to me around 25 years ago, but then it was only something I could dream of. The support of the British Heart Foundation and Travelodge has meant that I can now make this dream a reality.
“Being able to stay at a Travelodge hotel whilst I walk the British coastline raising money for this much needed course is a huge benefit. Walking 15 miles a day really takes its toll on me and having a hot bath and a comfortable bed to look forward to each evening, makes the last few miles every day more bearable. Without these creature comforts I would not be able to accomplish my dream.”
Caroline Totterdill, Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at the British Heart Foundation, says: “Heart disease is heartless. It can strike without warning, tearing families apart in an instant, which is why we’re determined to do everything we can to beat it.
“We urgently need more funds to help end the devastation it leaves behind and save lives, which is why we’re absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as Travelodge’s Charity of the Year. Every pound raised throughout the partnership will help make a difference to the millions living with the terrible burden of heart and circulatory disease.”
The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s biggest heart charity and the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK. With a mission to win the fight against cardiovascular disease, their aim is to create a world where people do not die prematurely or suffer from cardiovascular related illnesses.
Kieran was born with a congenital heart condition called transposition of the great arteries (TGA) where the main arteries in the heart are ‘plumbed’ back to front. He had to have open heart surgery at just three years old to swap the arteries back to their normal position. Despite his operation he suffered a heart attack and two mini strokes. He was then diagnosed with heart failure at the age of 35 and put on the transplant list.
In July 2009, Kieran received his new heart and donated his old heart for British Heart Foundation funded research into congenital heart disease which has contributed to important findings and helped others living with conditions like his.
Kieran now has a new lease of life and set himself the challenge of raising £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation by walking the coast of Britain in one year to help fund even more lifesaving research.
Averaging 15 miles a day Kieran hopes to complete his journey in February 2018 and will be staying at Travelodge hotels throughout to ensure that he has a good night’s sleep every night of his challenge.
ENDS
For further information
Please contact the Travelodge Press Office at: 01844 358 703 or email: pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk
About the British Heart Foundation:
For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives