Paul Gilley – the man behind the London Hospitality Festival – is taking on 30 hotel shifts across London in 30 days raise money for Room to Reward and support the volunteers who make a difference in communities across the UK.
The campaign kicked off at The Royal Garden, where Gilley started his career in the industry, on 28th September. Shifts across London in the likes of The Athaneum, The Goring, The Dilly, Kimpton Fitzroy, The Imperial, The Adria and Sunborn London have followed, while over £7,500 has already been raised. The challenge culminates in a final shift and wrap party at St Ermin’s Hotel on 27th October.
Sponsored and made possible by Indeed Flex, the campaign celebrates the generosity of the hospitality industry, with Paul also encouraging other industry legends to get out there and do a shift.
Paul said:
It’s been an amazing journey so far. I have to say it’s exhausting but I’ve loved every minute. The hotels and teams have been amazing. It’s really struck me how everywhere does things a little bit differently to ensure they create a memorable experience for guests. I’ve loved it, and a big thank you to everybody who has donated.
Hospitality giving back
Room to Reward thanks Hidden Heroes — volunteers nominated by charities and community organisations — with short breaks in donated, unsold hotel rooms. This year, the charity will arrange over 1,000 breaks for volunteers from the NHS, charities, grassroots sports, communities and charities across the UK.
Many hotels welcoming Paul for a shift as part of the campaign have also welcomed volunteers for a well-earned break in 2026. Sunborn London had Kerry, who has volunteered with Breast Cancer Now for over 20 years, on her break in September.
Joe Langtree, Room to Reward’s Operations Director, said:
It’s difficult to put into words just how much this means to us. 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. I must give a special thank you to the Room to Reward partners who have arranged shifts and taken their support to the next level and we hope to welcome the other hotels to our journey soon. Huge thanks also to Indeed Flex, who have made the logistics of this challenge possible and supported every step of the way.
Room to Reward is a small charity making a truly significant impact. Every penny raised makes a real difference to charities, communities and the Hidden Heroes who do so much for them.
Other hospitality leaders continue to champion the cause too, with Marriott Hotels joining Room to Reward and pledging breaks for UK volunteers and Harbour Hotels delivering 21 breaks for volunteers and raising over £47,000 for Room to Reward.
Keep up to date with Paul’s progress on the Room to Reward and Indeed Flex LinkedIn pages. You can also donate to the challenge here: zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/flex-legends-paul-gilley
Support the challenge
To donate and help Room to Reward recognise more Hidden Heroes, visit: