Reuben’s Retreat hails Globes guests for raising £15k during event

More than £15,000 was raised for Reuben’s Retreat at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards as the charity officially kicked off its One in a Million campaign.

Founder Nicola Graham told 1,200 guests about plans to raise the “final build million” to complete the conversion of a former hospital site in Derbyshire into a retreat for families of children with complex medical needs or those who have lost a child.

The fundraising began with a £2,000 donation from Travel Weekly parent company Jacobs Media before generous guests boosted the final tally raised on the night to £15,545.

Graham, who attended the event with her elder son and Hays Travel apprentice Isaac, reminded guests of the charity’s launch at the 2013 Globe Awards, adding: “We all have the ability to leave our world a better place than we found it. We all have the capacity to give back and to help others.

“Tonight, I ask for your continued support so that we may realise our ambitious multimillion-pound vision and go on to reach many more families.”

Speaking after the fundraising total was confirmed, she added: “To share our cause on this platform was outstanding and we are so grateful for the continued love and support from Travel Weekly. The vital money raised exceeded our expectations and the many supportive conversations we had were heartwarming.

“The industry has taken Reuben and his Retreat to their hearts and it is a monumental moment in our history to circle back from that announcement in 2013 and head towards smashing our target together.”

Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly Group, said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have supported Nicola and the team for more than a decade as they strive to fulfil their vision in memory of Reuben.

“The travel industry has played such an important role in those efforts since the launch of the charity, and it was fitting that Globes guests were able to begin this final push to ‘complete the Retreat’ with so many generous donations.”

More: Special Report: Reuben’s Retreat launches £1m fundraising campaign