Paul Gilley Raises More than £10,000 for charity with 30-hotel challenge
The hospitality professional completed 30 shifts at 30 different hotels in 30 days, celebrating experience and raising funds for Room to Reward.
Hospitality recruiter and events organiser Paul Gilley has completed an ambitious 30-day challenge, working a full shift at a different hotel every day to raise more than £10,000 for Room to Reward.
Between 28 September and 27 October, Paul took on a variety of roles, including bellboy, concierge, footman, doorman, chef and breakfast server. Each shift was booked through the Indeed Flex app, just like any other worker on the platform. Paul donated his wages, while participating hotels either contributed the day's pay or a pledged sum to the charity.
Room to Reward works with hotels to turn their unsold rooms into complimentary breaks for volunteers who make an outstanding contribution to charities and their communities.
Thirty Hotels, One Common Ingredient
Paul's challenge took him to properties ranging from The Lanesborough and The Goring to the Royal Garden Hotel and Royal National Hotel. Each presented a new operation to learn, often from scratch and within a single shift.
Reflecting on the experience, Paul said: “Thirty days, I thought it would be easy. What really blew my mind is that it's not just thirty different properties. It's thirty different bits of software, thirty different bits of equipment. The one thing that stitches it all together is the people.”
He added: “I hope this journey has proved, not just to me but to the hotels I've worked for, and perhaps even you, that you can come and do a shift. We've still got it in us.”
Paul's challenge took him to 30 different hotels across 30 different days
A Lasting Legacy
The Flex Legends campaign, backed by Indeed Flex, celebrates experienced hospitality professionals and the skills they bring to the industry.
Novo Constare, CEO and co-founder of Indeed Flex, said: “Thirty hotels, thirty different set-ups, and Paul delivered in every one. That's what experience gets you, and it's what the industry is short of. The people with years of craft behind them haven't disappeared. We want to make sure they're seen, valued and appreciated.”
The challenge has also brought longer-term benefits to Room to Reward, with 12 new hotel partners signing up to donate breaks. This will provide an additional 30 stays each year for inspirational volunteers.
Joe Langtree, Operations Director of Room to Reward, said: “Paul has been an incredible supporter of R2R for a number of years, came up with this wonderful idea and it’s been amazing to see so many hotels jump in. Every penny raised makes a real difference to charities, communities and the hidden heroes who do so much for them. The impact of Paul’s incredible campaign will be felt for years to come.”
Can You Help?
Paul is hoping to raise £20,000 for Room to Reward; donations are still being accepted via Paul's fundraising page.
Experienced hospitality professionals interested in picking up shifts can find out more at Indeed Flex.
