Hospitality X Factor to raise funds for industry careers

Due to take place on 19 January, the fundraising event is being hosted by Lorraine Wood, director of the hospitality networking group Arena, who will later this year be taking part in Springboard’s charity trek along the Great Wall of China.

The 7-day trek will take place at the end of March this year, and will see members of the UK’s hospitality industry cover 12km per day along the infamous stony path and “up and down thousands and thousands of steps”, said Wood.

Each of the 23 trekkers have committed to raising a minimum of £7,000 for Springboard, which uses its funds to promote careers in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sectors.

Fit as fiddles​

“Over the past 12 months I have been looking at doing something different, worthwhile and challenging so when this opportunity came up I decided to go for it!” said Wood.

“Having never embarked on anything like this in my life it will certainly be different and also very challenging both mentally and physically and whilst I'm pretty apprehensive, I am very much looking forward to it as it's for a great cause."

This month’s Hospitality X Factor night will invite industry members to take part in a karaoke competition judged by hospitality colleagues. Tickets are priced at £25 and the evening includes a drinks reception and a Chinese meal provided by Sharwoods, which is sponsoring Springboard’s China trek.

“Entering the competition is not compulsory, but having a good time and cheering on your peers is!” said Wood.

BigHospitality is sponsoring Lorraine Wood in her Great Wall of China challenge, and will bring you news of the trek as it occurs.

For information on the Hospitality X Factor evening, contact: lorraine’at’arena.org.uk​