A strong three-year relationship between Hilton London Stansted Airport and the Panathlon Challenge grows through two successful special events

Hilton London Stansted Airport recently helped to raise over £10,000 for local charity the Panathlon Challenge during two spectacular fundraising events: the Panathlon Ball and Hilton in the Community Foundation’s Around the World in a Day.

Hilton London Stansted Airport is the home of the Panathlon Challenge’s charity office and a constant sponsor in supporting the lives of local youngsters since 2009.According to Ashley Iceton from Panathlon, “ Panathlon Challenge has grown hugely in Essex due to the support received from Hilton London Stansted Airport. ”

On May 12th Panathlon hosted its first ever ball at Hilton London Stansted Airport, which featured a four course dinner, raffle prizes and a silent as well as live auction. The evening, which was MC’d by former cricketer and Sky Sports journalist Dave Fulton, also included an inspirational speech by Danny Crates, GB Paralympic gold medalist and Panathlon sporting patron, and was attended by Giles Long MBE , chair of the Panathlon Charity and triple GB Paralympic gold medalist, as well as Team GB Paralympic hopefuls for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Auction prizes included numerous trips with generous stays offered by Hilton Worldwide hotels across the globe.

Robert Watts, Hotel Manager, Hilton London Stansted Airport, said, “It was a truly fantastic evening. Guests had such a wonderful time, laughed and danced throughout the night and were able to learn more about the important work we do together to make a difference in our community.” A fantastic £16,000 was raised from the event, which will equally be shared between the Panathlon Challenge and Hilton in the Community Foundation , the official charity of Hilton Worldwide in Europe.

On May 20th Hilton London Stansted Airport once again chose the Panathlon Challenge to be the recipient of its fundraising for the annual Around the World in a Day event. The fundraiser saw Hilton Worldwide team members, charity partners and the public working together in more than 100 hotels in eleven countries across Europe.

Contributors to Hilton London Stansted Airport ‘s 2,641 kilometre total included, students from the Marketfield School in Colchester, members of the Halstead Cricket Club, Swimmers at Halstead Swimming, young athletes at Witham Running Club, around 60 disabled pupils from Southview Special School and Liz Johnson, defending Paralympic Team GB SB6 100 breaststroke champion. Sporting guests included, Olympic Team GB Judo athlete Faith Pitman from Harlow, Paralympic Team GB power lifters Natalie Blake and Megan Ainsworth, members of the Olympic Russian sailing team, Turkish football team Turkmenkoy from north London and the local police and fire brigades.

Since it was founded in 2007, the Around the World in a Day event has raised over £360,000 collectively in support of 226 different children’s charities, schools and good causes.