FROM GATWICK TO THE HIMALAYAS 2010

RAFT. TREK. BIKE...

An intrepid and like-minded team from the Sofitel London Gatwick have returned from the mountains and valleys of Nepal. During their nine day sojourn in December, the team members travelled across the snow-capped Himalayan country in support of two community aid projects.

In early December the nine-strong team flew to Kathmandu and made their way by raft, trek and bike to a rural community school for underprivileged children and a hospital catering for patients with disabilities. “The team members were absolutely determined to make a difference to other people’s lives and, besides raising a significant amount of financial support for the past few months, were prepared to renounce their usual creature comforts and to participate in the physical challenges of a mini-expedition taking them into remote territory” said Matthew Lindenfelser, tour organizer. He further added: “The team managed to attract pledges from individual and corporate well-wishers and were able to finance wheelchairs through INF Nepal and to initiate an ICT suite at the Pokhara Viewpoint Primary School with a grand total of 226,218 Nepalese Rupees (GBP £2,038) reaching the local communities in Nepal”.

Dubbed the ‘Staff Outing’ with a difference, the fully self-financed team visited Nepal to combine a unique adventure travel destination with an exercise in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Travelling along ancient trade routes, the team of mixed ages and abilities experienced breathtaking panoramic views and captured every opportunity to interact with the locals and experience some very different cultures.

“We are grateful for your kind support supporting the future of the children and the community”, said Matrika Prasad Baral, Headmaster of the PVP School near Pokhara, while Superintendent Dr. Paul Roche from INF Nepal added “the generosity of the donation will change five individual’s lives considerably and facilitate their rehabilitation process.”

“Project-managing the expedition from start to finish has been a challenge and pleasure alike and demonstrates the unique team strength and dynamic resourcefulness staff are displaying across all the departments at the Sofitel London Gatwick in these difficult times”, said Matthew Lindenfelser, tour organizer, and added, “above all the project is a showcase for exercising solidarity with our fellow humans and it has been both humbling and rewarding to complete the journey at Christmas time when caring for and sharing with others are most on our mind.”

The team are mostly based at the 4 star deluxe Sofitel London Gatwick, which is connected directly to the North Terminal by covered walkway offering convenient access. The team commented: “Working at this truly cosmopolitan property at one of the world's busiest airports created the idea of putting something back into society by way of inter-departmental team-building and initiating a small Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project supported by a number of businesses, including, but not limited to, Arora Hotels Ltd., Sofitel London Gatwick and Mercure London Gatwick. Since we have returned from Nepal and having seen the precariousness of some individuals’ situation has stressed the need for a longer-term vision on supporting their needs with Know-How, Training and Humanitarian aid. We truly hope that we have created a successful travel template which can be used by other organizations and individuals to combine a great cause with a fascinating journey.”

Arora Group

The Arora Group is a successful UK-focused private group of companies, which leverages synergies across its specialist property, construction and hotel divisions to its strategic advantage. Since 1999, the Group has built its standing through meticulously managing projects from inception to delivery and beyond. Today, it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of flagship assets across the nation’s key business locations, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to deliver consistently high service levels and sustainable growth.

For more information please visit www.thearoragroup.com

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