Hotel donates over 100 beds to homelessness charity

A local hotelier’s generous donation of more than 100 deluxe beds and mattresses has provided a welcome boost for Emmaus Preston’s charitable work in the city.

During an upgrade of its rooms, Preston International Hotel was looking for a way to reuse its state-of-the-art bedroom furniture.

Upon hearing about the charity’s home, support and opportunities for up to 50 people with experience of homelessness, the Preston International Hotel got in touch.

The homelessness charity runs one of the largest department stores of its kind in the UK, Emmaus Department Store in Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston. All sales help raise the vital funds needed to sustain its accommodation, meals and bills for people who have been homeless.

Collecting and delivering furniture is what the homelessness charity does best, so the Emmaus Preston was delighted when Preston International Hotel made the kind gesture.

Bernadette Plumb, hotel general manager, said: “After reading about all the great work Emmaus does, it was our absolute pleasure to be able to donate all the beds and give something back to the local community. The hotel is proud to be able to support such great charities like Emmaus. I really hope that this will encourage other hotels to follow suit.”

The high-quality beds are king-size, zip and link singles and family pull outs made by RestfullNights. Like all donations passed on to Emmaus Preston, they underwent extensive cleaning by the charity before going out for redistribution.

While you can still get your hands on some of the high-end bed bases and mattresses in support of the charity at Emmaus Department Store, the charity also delivered several in a pre-arranged act of solidarity with local families in need.

Stephen Buchanan, chief executive officer of Emmaus Preston, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Preston International Hotel for helping Emmaus support local families, and for raising the funds to support other people in need.

“The bed bases and mattresses compliment the other items we offer at Emmaus Department Store, which range from preloved bedside tables to wardrobes alongside as-new curtains and brand-new bedding.

“It’s wonderful the Emmaus in this city has been able to reuse what might otherwise have gone to waste, to help us help even more people as we were able to deliver these to people who needed them.

“We hope other hoteliers might read this and consider a donation in the future."

To make a donation of your unwanted items to Emmaus Preston, you can visit: www.emmaus.org.uk/preston/donate-goods/