Guoman and Thistle Hotels Raise Over £100,000 for Springboard Charity

LONDON, July 12, 2011 -

Guoman and Thistle Hotels have announced that as a result of a
dedicated three month fundraising activity drive, the group has
raised over £100,000 for the hospitality careers charity
Springboard.  

As a charity helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people
find sustainable careers within the hospitality and leisure sector,
Springboard’s values are close to href="www.guoman.com/">Guoman Hotels and Thistle Hotels’
own regarding developing and strengthening talent - the two have
worked closely together to set  people on their way to long
and vibrant careers within the industry.

Guoman Hotels’ general managers and Thistle’s senior teams led
the way with fundraising activities across the group’s 38 hotels
across the UK, with sponsored marathons, parachute jumps and even a
bouncy castle world record attempt taking place - the hotel teams
across the entire UK portfolio were encouraged to get fully
involved and help spread the message of the invaluable work
Springboard does along the way. Thistle Brighton raised the highest
individual amount, with special Mother’s Day lunches helping raise
over £10,000 alone.  

Alongside the hotel’s individual team-led activities, the group
also implemented a highly successful initiative whereby guests were
encouraged to donate an additional £1 to the price of their hotel
stay to go towards the final charity donation. With Sir Alex
Ferguson acting as a celebrity ambassador for this scheme, guests
responded in earnest and helped raise the final total of
£100,021.00 through their generous donations - the final £21 was
added by the group to recognise The Springboard Charity’s 21st
anniversary celebrations.

Commenting on the success of the charity initiative, Heiko
Figge, managing director, Guoman and href="www.thistle.com/">Thistle Hotels commented: “As a
group, we remain passionate about industry learning and believe in
contributing to skills and actively developing talent within our
industry. This is why we committed to the Springboard Charity and
from the day we made that pledge, our colleagues within every one
of our UK properties has made it their personal mission to reach
the target. They have readily given up days off and spent time
training for some of the more physical challenges, and I am
extremely proud of everyone who got involved.

Charities like Springboard are essential to the hotel industry,
so it is only right that we should support them in turn, and what
better than with this remarkable donation I’m delighted to be able
to share with Springboard.”

Stephen Moss, chairman, Springboard UK, added: “Springboard is
absolutely delighted to receive such magnificent support from
Guoman and Thistle Hotels in the UK. As a charity working directly
on behalf of the hospitality sector, we need major hospitality
players like Guoman & Thistle to fly the flag for our work
supporting young people, disadvantaged groups and the unemployed
into inspirational careers and opportunities within the
industry.

This fantastic effort will ensure that Springboard can continue
its vital work in encouraging these groups into meaningful
positions and making a real difference to people’s lives.”

- Ends -

About Guoman Hotels:

Guoman Hotel Management Limited operates two hotel brands within
the UK market; Guoman Hotels, an exclusive collection of deluxe
hotels located in central London and Thistle Hotels, a chain of
quality full service hotels in the UK’s major cities.

Guoman Hotels in the UK consists of four landmark properties;
Charing Cross, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Tower.
Whilst each hotel in the portfolio is different with its own unique
identity and style, each provides the very highest levels of
comfort and service to its guests. 

Thistle Hotels is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited
which operates hotels throughout the UK. Thistle has 33 hotels
across the country, many in superb city centre locations, including
eleven in central London and href="www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/brighton/thistle_brighton/index.html">
Thistle Brighton.

For further press information please contact:
James Watts
Guoman Hotels
Siren PR
Room on the Roof
Riverside Studios
Crisp Road
London
W6 9RL
+44(0)20-8237-1210
www.guoman.com

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