Hilton London Stansted Steps it Up to Support Local Children:

The Panathlon Foundation, which encourages young disabled people in Essex to take part in sport, is celebrating the success of an ambitious athletic fundraiser at the Hilton London Stansted, which saw charity fundraisers at the hotel and in local schools help to virtually circumnavigate the circumference of the earth.

“Around the World in a Day” was an event organised by Hilton in the Community Foundation which saw over 75 Hilton hotels across Europe work together to virtually cover the 24,901.55 miles needed to cover the earth’s circumference. Each hotel chose a local charity to fundraise for as part of the process, with the team at Hilton London Stansted raising an incredible £8,229 for Panathlon.

Andrew Brett, General Manager, Hilton London Stansted Airport said: “We were absolutely delighted to see so much support for the event and were so impressed by the commitment of participants to raise  so much money and cover so many miles for a fantastic local cause. I would like to thank everyone who took part and helped to make a difference to local children’s lives through Hilton in the Community Foundation and Panathlon.”

All of the proceeds from the event in Stansted will be used to support Panathlon’s work providing free training courses, specialist equipment, coaching and multi-sport competitions in various towns around Essex. Young disabled people with a range of abilities come together and are able to compete in different sports as a result of this support.

Ashley Iceton from Panathlon said: ” Panathlon is delighted to be working in partnership with Hilton in the Community Foundation and will use the funds kindly donated to us to help young disabled people. Panathlon will provide sports equipment and mini “Paralympic” style competitions to hundreds of disabled young people in Essex in 2011.”

Pictured here is Ashley from Panathlon receiving the generous cheque from members of staff at the Hilton Hotel Stansted, with members of Stansted Police Team, who helped to raise funds by running, rowing and biking on the “Around the World in a Day” fundraising event.

Many thanks to everybody concerned for helping Disabled Young People in Essex.

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About Hilton in the Community Foundation:

Hilton in the Community Foundation was founded in 2000 as Hilton Worldwide’s charity dedicated to supporting young people in need. Focused on Education and Health, grants supporting disadvantaged young people are made in the UK and continental Europe, while in the event of international disaster; grants are made to relief organisations at the Trustees’ discretion.

In 2009 through the Foundation team members, guests and suppliers raised over £1,051,264 while the Foundation awarded 324 grants to 251 charities.
The Foundation’s core costs are funded by Hilton Worldwide, so every net pound raised goes directly to good causes.  Donations are funded almost entirely through the generous efforts and contributions of Hilton team members, family and friends and with the support of Hilton guests and company suppliers.

Please visit our website: www.hilton-foundation.org.uk