Assistant manager at Oakman Inns & Restaurants joins Nepal Trek
Oakman Inns & Restaurants has provided one of its assistant managers the opportunity of a lifetime to take part in a fund-rising trek in Nepal on behalf of hospitality charity Springboard.
Emma Russell (pictured with Peter Borg-Neal), who works at the Red Lion in Water End, Hertfordshire, won a competition to select a member of staff to join Mike Smith, the company's chairman, on the 85km trek through the foothills of the Himalayas.
She was chosen for her success in previously raising thousands of pounds for other charities and her determination to face challenges with "calm graciousness". In a bid to reach her fund-raising target of £3,500, Russell will now hold a number of events at the Red Lion, including an Italian Evening.
"The trek will be a real challenge but I'm so used to being on my feet for 10 hours at a time that I may surprise myself," she said. "I'm delighted to be raising money for such a fantastic cause, and am looking forward to holding some great events at the Red Lion as part of the fundraising mission."
Oakman Inn's involvement in the trek is part of a wider pledge to raise £20,000 for Springboard, which helps young, unemployed and disadvantaged people to gain employment opportunities in the hospitality industry
Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive of Oakman Inns & Restaurants, who is seen here with Russell, said: "We are thrilled to be supporting Emma in her efforts to fundraise for this fantastic cause, and going some way to changing people's lives for the better in the process.
"It also provides a recognisable contribution to the hospitality industry, and we are very excited to be engaging our own people in this wonderful fundraising mission. We are very proud of Emma and the rest of our teams, and look forward to embarking on this exciting project for Springboard."
Founded in 2007, Oakman Inns & Restaurants owns and operates eight properties in Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Twenty members of the Hospitality industry are taking part in the Nepal trek, which will be followed by a three-day volunteering project at a school in Kathmandu. Janet Harmer, Caterer & Hotelkeeper's hotel editor, is joining the trek, which leaves the UK on 1 March 2014. Donations to her fund-raising effort can be made by visiting:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JanetHarmer
Caterer and Hotelkeeper hotels editor joins Springboard Charity trek in Nepal >>
Springboard trekkers meet Nepalese ambassador >>
Oakman Inns and Restaurants raises £5.5m and hires new finance director >>
