Hotel group’s £200,000 charity boost

A leading Scottish hotel group has announced that £200,000 will be made available to local charity groups.

Over the last decade, Crerar Hotels has awarded £8.5million in grants to more than 450 organisations as part of its commitment to invest in communities where its hotels are located.

Funds will be distributed to Cove Park, and Mull Shore and Wood Walk. Crerar will also be providing funds to charities which operate across Scotland and within Argyll and Bute. These include the Prince’s Trust, MND Scotland, Tiny Tickers and St Andrew’s First Aid.

More than 50 per cent of Crerar’s distributable profits are gifted to local causes and charities.

Chris Wayne-Wills, chief executive officer, said: ‘We are delighted that despite the difficult circumstances created by Covid-19, Crerar Hotels is still able to support a significant number of charities in 2020.

‘We believe this announcement is much-needed good news for our local communities. It is our privilege to keep giving something back to them and particularly in a time which has been so challenging for all. Our continued community commitment is very important to us within Crerar; it’s in our DNA.’

‘For every stay our customers have with us they are supporting others who really need it. It is great for our folk in the hotels to see their hard work and efforts helping people in their own communities as well as those from throughout the whole of Scotland.

‘More than 16 organisations have benefited from these recent charitable grants, including Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, St Andrew’s First Aid, a Men’s Shed, and Mull Shore and Wood Walk. We look forward to hearing how this funding helps impact their work.’

Crerar Hotels was founded by Paddy Crerar CBE in 2005. He said: ‘As ever, it’s a privilege to be able to help the folk around our hotels. In this year when we have seen so much heartache and fear, what we have gifted this Christmas feels like just a teardrop in a torrent. We will do more when we can. It’s a good thing to be able to help the community we are part of and it’s the hard work of our teams that makes it possible. I can tell you that is something we are all very grateful for.

‘We at Crerar Hotels have been really lucky. We were able to weather the lockdown well enough and when our hotels reopened, we were treated with a tidal wave of bookings.

‘Loyal guests keen to return and enjoy a break and maybe do their bit to support Scottish hospitality.

Mr Crerar added: ‘Sadly, it will be a few years to recover what Covid-19 has stolen – once we do, our local gifting will get fully back on track.’

Its seven high quality four-AA star hotels and inn include Oban Bay, Oban; Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa, Inveraray; and the Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa. Paddy Crerar CBE, right, of Crerar Hotels: ‘Our continued community commitment is very important to us...it’s in our DNA’.