HOTELS HAVE HEARTS RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE

Hotels Have Hearts (HHH) has surpassed $5 million in donations after the gala dinner in Sydney raised a record $850k to help tackle homelessness.

Almost 600 guests filled the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel Sydney last week to raise much-needed funds in support of St Vincent de Paul Society’s Housing and Homelessness Services.

A premier event of the hospitality industry, the gala dinner is supported by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).

Money raised is distributed between Vincentian House, a service for women and families, and Matthew Talbot Hostel, a refuge for men.

HHH was established in 2001 by a group of generous hoteliers that wanted to do more to help Sydney’s homeless.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 census, around 122,494 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness on any given night, with almost one quarter of these souls children and young adults aged 12-24.

HHH Chairman Kim Maloney OAM recognises how easy it is to take comforts and security for granted.

“Giving back to those who are vulnerable is not just an act of charity, but a profound expression of our shared humanity.

“It could easily be you, me, or our loved ones in any situation where we need help and that’s where we are lucky to have our friends at Vinnie’s able to step in and lend a hand,” Maloney said.

The biennial event was halted for six years due to the pandemic, but this year’s event was stronger than ever, beating the 2018 event’s record of $750,000 raised.

AHA NSW President Scott Leach acknowledged the ongoing work hoteliers do for their communities.

“The NSW hotel industry believes in a society where you can count on your mates and doesn’t just offer a hand-out, but wants to inspire and assist with a hand up.”