12 May 2020
For immediate release
Hi res pics here: here
CAMPAIGN TO REWARD NHS WORKERS WITH HOLIDAY BREAKS CONTINUES TO GAIN SUPPORT FROM HOTEL OWNERS
A campaign to reward NHS workers with holiday breaks is now being supported by major hotel chains across the country.
From cabins to castles, country houses to luxury hotels, 1,000 getaways have now been donated by the hospitality industry for NHS workers when the coronavirus crisis eases.
Given the tireless NHS teams working on the coronavirus frontline the #treatourNHS initiative, created by Sarah Bowman, owner of The Hayloft in Devon, is encouraging the industry to further support the campaign.
To date, accommodation owners across the UK have pledged stays in hotels, eco lodges and cottages to NHS workers.
Sarah Bowman comments: “Hundreds of holiday homes, B&Bs and hotels have now joined the giveaway which is demonstrating the collective kindness of many individuals, small operators and larger group owners, all of whom are part of the UK's hospitality industry which has itself being hard hit given the lockdown.”
Under the hashtag #TreatOurNHS, places on offer range from camper vans and shepherd's huts to luxury hotels - even a chateau in the south of France.
Sarah Bowman continues: “Any business in the tourist industry is able offer a holiday giveaway, no matter if they are a cottage in Devon or an international hotel chain, all are rallying together in this initiative.
“A nurse wrote to me recently saying that what we are offering in our campaign has given light at the end of the tunnel for her and her colleagues. We want to shine lights across the country far and wide to show our gratitude for them putting our lives before theirs.”
The #TreatOurNHS campaign has attracted attention of larger companies including Sawdays Travel and Coolstays, and numbers are changing daily. Channel 5 Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi is supporting the campaign and offering both her hotels to the initiative.
Incredible displays of generosity have come from the hotel trade including Luxury Family Hotels, the pioneers of luxury family travel in the UK, which is offering NHS workers and also their families an overnight stay in each of its five hotels including The Ickworth in Suffolk, Fowey Hall in Cornwall and Woolley Grange near Bradford-on-Avon https://www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/news/treat-our-nhs.
The Pig Hotel has announced when it opens its doors once more to the public every single room in each of its hotels will host an NHS member of staff. https://www.thepighotel.com/treat-our-nhs/
Elsewhere, The Langham, The Lanesborough and One Aldwych are the first of the London hotels set to be involved in the initiative and more are due to follow. https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough/the-hotel/treat-our-nhs/
How the hospitality industry can get involved
For those who own a holiday let, B&B or hotel and would like to join the initiative, Sarah Bowman has put together the following two easy steps:
- Post your giveaway on your Instagram account. If you're unsure on what to post, search #treatournhs to see how others have worded their giveaways. Set a finishing date to suit you, then choose a winner at the end.
- Important: Tag #treatournhs amongst other tags when posting so that your giveaway will automatically be seen with all the other NHS holiday giveaways.
It's that simple!
Sarah Bowman added: “This is how the campaign has grown momentum so efficiently. Once a hotel or holiday let has posted their giveaway, NHS workers can nominate themselves or are nominated from friends and loved ones immediately.“
I work for the NHS or I want to nominate someone in the NHS, what to I do?
Go to the #treatournhs hashtag on Instagram. Scroll through the many giveaways and click on the ones you want to enter. You can enter as many as you want and nominate as many NHS friends or family as you want!
If you do not have access to Instagram ask someone who does to do it for you.
I work for the NHS, how do I apply for a stay?
Go to the #treatournhs hashtag on Instagram. Scroll through the many giveaways and click on the ones you are interested in and read how to enter. A number of establishments have either asked for nominations, some will draw names randomly and others will announce further details as lockdown eases so keep an eye on their websites and social media!
Ends
Hi res pics: https://app.box.com/s/4zd0yt7eohkzjm3jm1bcj2mnqw20yrpv
Members of the media only:
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Bowman
07791025997
Maria Boyle
MB Communications Ltd
020 8876 8444
