(Left to Right: Tina Tolley, Head of Business and Donor Development, John Hartigan, Volunteer of Heartbeat and Adam Terpening, Room 2 Reward Charity Director)
An inspirational volunteer with Wessex Heartbeat has been recognised for a decade of dedication with a complimentary hotel stay courtesy of Room to Reward.
John Hartigan has volunteered with Wessex Heartbeat, a charity supporting the work of the Wessex Cardiac Unit of University Hospital Southampton through equipment and research funding, for over 10 years and had his efforts celebrated at a recent awards event.
John was nominated to Room to Reward, a unique charity that partners with hotels across the U.K. to use donated unsold rooms to provide volunteers nominated by charities and community groups with a well-earned break.
Mark Ind, CEO of Wessex Heartbeat, said: “John is always on hand to give up his spare time to volunteer in supermarkets for us, not just in his local community but also the next county along too. John has continued to organise a music quiz that his wife Sue started in aid of Heartbeat, with his most recent quiz raising £2,300.
John has saved the team roughly 250 hours a year in volunteering by raising awareness of the charity, marshalling at events, supporting the team with ad-hoc jobs in the office, and always checking on the team for anything else we may need his help with. He has also raised more than £15,000. John’s dedication is just amazing, and he’s an invaluable asset for the charity. We are hugely appreciative to Room to Reward for this wonderful way to show our appreciation to John.”
Founded in 2015, Room to Reward now works with over 900 hotels, holiday parks, and accommodation providers across the U.K. More than 2500 volunteers from over 900 charities, community groups, grassroots sports clubs, and other voluntary organisations have been given a well-earned break in recognition of the time they give to others.
“It was a pleasure to support these awards and read John’s wonderful nomination.” Said Adam Terpening, the charity’s director. “John is exactly the kind of Hidden Hero Room to Reward was created to recognise, and we look forward to arranging his break.”
To find out more about the hotels and organisations involved with Room to Reward, and to meet some of the Hidden Heroes, visit: www.roomtoreward.org.