York hotel group boss, David Clarke, has just donated thousands of pounds to Great Ormond Street hospital on behalf of Best Western and seen firsthand how the money will be put to good use.
The donation follows David’s appearance in the popular Channel 4 series ‘Undercover Boss’ where viewers saw the CEO’s heart warming promise to Housekeeper Beverley Blake that the company would donate £2,500 to Great Ormond Street hospital on her behalf.
The charity is close to Beverley’s heart as her son Mark spent most of his childhood in and out of Great Ormond Street. He was admitted at the young age of just 9 months old and finished his treatment for the rare conditions polyartheritis nodosa and urticaria vasculits at the age of 17.
Beverley and her son Mark, now 31, were also there at the presentation today and both visited the wards which they regularly stayed.
Martin Harris, Senior Fundraising Executive at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, said, “We would like to thank David Clarke and Best Western Hotels for their support and choosing us to benefit from Channel 4’s series of Undercover Boss in which David appeared. The money will help us continue to work with children across the UK and indeed the world, with serious and often life threatening conditions.”
The Lutterworth hotel where Beverley works, the Best Western Ullesthorpe Court, will also be holding a fundraising event later this year to raise more funds for the leading children’s hospital.
David Clarke, Best Western GB Chief Executive, said: “Beverley is such a star and this shone through in the Undercover Boss programme. When I learnt of her sons history I just knew that helping her to donate a large sum to the charity was the best way Best Western could say thank you for all her dedication. I was proud to accompany her today to present that cheque.”
Undercover Boss is to be shown again on More4 on 7th November where viewers can see David’s pledge.