Starwood Hotels & Resorts Raise More Than 400,000 $ For UNICEF 'Schools For Africa' Project

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, April 02, 2011 (Press-News.org) As part of the Check Out For Children partnership between Starwood Hotels & Resorts and UNICEF, Starwood is celebrating this month after raising over US$400,000 for UNICEF's 'Schools for Africa' initiative. The funds were raised through the third annual 'Road to Awareness' bike-ride that took place between 26-28 August in 2010. 23 cyclists embarked on a three-day, 350 km mountain climb - journeying through some of the most famous peaks in the Italian Dolomites, raising vital funds for UNICEF in the process.

The UNICEF 'Schools for Africa' initiative, a partnership between the world's leading children's organisation and the Nelson Mandela Institute, aims to make quality education more accessible for 8 million children in 11 African countries. Starwood's funding will focus specifically on South Africa where it will support UNICEF's work to improve the conditions in the country's schools and guarantee a safe school environment where children can realise their full potential.

Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts for Europe, Africa & Middle East says: "As part of our Global Citizenship efforts, Starwood focuses on providing children all over the world with access to education, enabling them to become fully independent members of society. The amazing efforts of our cyclists, enthusiastic hotel teams and supportive partners highlight Starwood's continued commitment and will make a huge difference to the lives of children in South Africa."

The group of courageous cyclists consisted of senior leaders and other representatives from across Starwood's Europe, Africa and Middle East regions. The gruelling ride included the Stelvio, which at 2,757 m (9,045 feet) is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and 800 metres higher than the Mont Ventoux, which was the tallest peak that riders tackled in the previous year's "Road to Awareness". The route required a combination of strength, fitness and determination from all who took part.

The 23 cyclists were also supported by associates from Starwood's 250 hotels and resorts across the Europe, Africa and the Middle East region who organized local fundraising activities throughout 2010 to raise further funds for UNICEF's work.

UNICEF UK Head of Corporate Fundraising Verity Rowles said, "Completing the gruelling Road to Awareness route is a huge achievement, but to also raise $400,000 for children pays tribute to the dedication and commitment of everyone associated with Starwood Hotels.

"Everyday, thousands of children in South Africa face their own challenge to realize their right just to go to school. Both Starwood Hotels and UNICEF believe this is wrong, and are working together to help put it right so every child can realise their full potential."

In 2011, the 'Road to Awareness' bike-ride will take place in the French Alps where Starwood cyclists will participate in a journey of more than 300km from 22-24 August.

The 'Road to Awareness' associate fundraising campaign is in addition to Starwood's on-going guest fundraising efforts for UNICEF through the 'Check Out for Children' programme. '

Check Out for Children', which was launched in 1995, is a partnership between Starwood Hotels & Resorts and UNICEF whereby guests at participating Starwood hotels around the world agree to the addition of US$1 (or local currency equivalent) to their bills when they check out. To date, Starwood guests have donated over US$24 million to UNICEF, making a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable children across the globe.

To learn more about the 'Road to Awareness' please visit http://www.roadtoawareness.com

About Check Out For Children
The Check Out for Children partnership between UNICEF and Starwood Hotels & Resorts was launched in London in November 1995 by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore KBE. The programme now operates in over 250 hotels across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In 2006, Starwood Hotels & Resorts won the UNICEF UK's prestigious Corporate Partnership Award in recognition of its significant contribution to the work of UNICEF. The award, which is only granted every 10 years, is given as a way of acknowledging the exceptional contribution of an organisation to the fulfilment of UNICEF's mission for children during the last decade. Since 1995, guests at participating Starwood hotels around the world have donated over US$22 million to UNICEF by agreeing to the addition of US$1 (or local currency equivalent) to their bills when they check out.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world's leading organisation working for children and their rights in more than 190 countries. As champion of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF works to help every child realise their full potential. Together with our partners, UNICEF delivers health care, nutrition, education and protection to children in urgent need, while working with governments to ensure they deliver on their promise to protect and promote the rights of every child. UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations from individuals, governments, institutions and corporations, and is not funded by the UN budget. For more information, please visit http://www.unicef.org.uk

About Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1025 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis , The Luxury Collection , W , Westin , Le Meridien , Sheraton , Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft , and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com.

Press contacts:

Starwood PR contact (to be adapted per market)

For further information about UNICEF please contact Liz Jones on lizj@unicef.org.uk or 0207 375 6096.

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