To celebrate International Charity Day, Travelodge, announced that its customers are all heart by raising a million pounds for charity. Customers are making a digital donation with Pennies when booking their room online to make a real difference to people’s lives.
Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel brand, which operates 591 hotels, was the first hotel brand to partner with Pennies. Customers can donate an optional 50p when booking their room at www.travelodge.co.uk.
The one million pounds raised has been donated to Travelodge charity partners chosen by the 11,000 Travelodge staff members. The current partner is the British Heart Foundation. Previous partners include: Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK and KidsOut UK – who have all benefited from these funds.
Pennies, is an award-winning charity which protects and grows micro-donations. It provides the public, digital ways to donate small amounts of money just with a simple press of a button or a click which is vital for charitable causes.
Tom Edwards, Travelodge Revenue Director said: “Our website attracts over a million visitors each week and it is a great platform for customers to donate their spare change with Pennies and make a real difference to people’s lives.”
“We are very proud and grateful to our customers for their generosity in raising a million pounds and supporting so many charities, including our current partner, the British Heart Foundation. It really goes to show in for a penny, in for a million pounds.”
Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO Pennies said: “Travelodge was our first-in-sector hotel partner embracing the use of financial digital technology as a force for good. We are so thrilled they have surpassed £1M, which has benefited a wealth of causes working in communities all across the UK.”
“Currently, just a week of donations from Travelodge customers can allow British Heart Foundation to buy a year’s supply of molecules that scientists use to look inside our heart and blood vessel cells!”
Paul Davies, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the British Heart Foundation said: “The option to donate with Pennies when booking on the Travelodge website has been a fantastic mechanism for customers to support the British Heart Foundation.”
“Thanks to Travelodge customers’ generosity, nearly £500,000 has been donated to fund ground-breaking research that will bring us closer to a world free from the heartbreak caused by heart and circulatory diseases.”
“Every penny counts to keep hearts beating and blood flowing.”
