Mr & Mrs Smith launches crowdfunder for NHS staff

Hotel group Mr & Mrs Smith has announced the launch of a new crowdfunder that will enable NHS staff and care home workers to enjoy a complimentary stay at some of its sites across the UK. It comes as over 45 hotels from the collection have offered more than 1,000 room nights for frontline staff for just £50 a night, a “fraction” of the usual cost. Whilst the stay will be free for frontline staff, the hotel group aims to raise £50,000 through the newly-launched fundraiser in order to buy a complimentary stay for 1,000 NHS and care home staff. The boutique hotel group will kick off the campaign by funding the first 100 nights, and confirmed it will not take any commission or make any profit from the initiative. Instead, all funds raised through Crowdfunder will go towards the sites in question in order to cover essential costs. NHS and care home employees can enter to receive a complimentary night away through the Mr & Mrs Smith website, with names set to be randomly selected in early July. Once the names have been selected, the choice of hotel and the date of the stay will be at the discretion of the successful NHS or care home employee. In a statement, the boutique hotel group said: “We know the last thing NHS employees and care home staff can consider at the moment is a holiday. “But when the worst of the coronavirus crisis is over, a relaxing break and much-needed getaway will be exactly what the doctor ordered.” It added: “We want to reward their tireless work and bravery with a night off in style at Mr & Mrs Smith hotels in the UK. This initiative will be a small recognition for everything they've done to keep the country going in such tough times. “We know that many of you have already given generously to Covid-related causes in the last few months, but with this initiative, we can add a token of our gratitude down the line, giving them a break they can look forward to when we've come through the other side of this crisis.” Founded in 2003, Mr & Mrs Smith now operates over 1,300 boutique and luxury hotels across its collection.