With the hospitality industry currently feeling the effects of the current lockdown, the Kings Head in Cirencester has announced a nationwide, raffle-style competition dedicated to raising funds for four organisations at the frontline of the crisis.

To be in with a chance of winning an overnight stay at the hotel’s newest addition, MBB Brasserie, entrants are being asked to make a £5 donation to the hotel’s JustGiving page.

All donations received will be split between four local organisations that have been specially selected by the hotel for their hard work and dedication.

The organisations are Cirencester Hospital, Paternoster House care home, Longfield Hospice, and Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice.

A lucky winner will be chosen at random on the day the government announces that lockdown is being lifted, and as a special thank you to everyone who enters and makes a donation, the hotel will also be offering an exclusive 20% discount off future hotel and restaurant bookings, redeemable for 12 months from the date the competition closes.

Speaking of the competition, general manager of Kings Head, Michael O’Bray said: “The impact of Coronavirus has been tremendous, particularly on the hospitality industry, with enforced isolation and restrictions on travel putting everyone’s holiday plans on hold.

"Wanting to give the public something to look forward to whilst showing support for our heroes on the frontline, we have decided to hold a fundraising competition giving away a future stay at the Kings Head. We would like to thank everyone in advance for their generous donations and we look forward to welcoming the winner for a much-deserved break in the near future, where they’ll be amongst the first to experience our refurbished hotel.”

Head of fundraising and marketing at Longfield Hospice, Rachel Jones, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Kings Head for thinking of us to be part of this fundraising opportunity.

"We launched an urgent appeal a few weeks ago as our charity shops had to close and fundraising events have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis. Now, more than ever, we need the help of the community to ensure that we can keep helping patients with life limiting illnesses and their families across Gloucestershire, so we’re delighted that the King’s Head have offered their support”.

The hotel is also using the current period of enforced closure to refurbish the property, adding 14 new bedrooms to its offering, including a suite overlooking Cirencester’s town square.

Further changes to be made include new courtyard and coffee shop facilities and an exciting merger of nearby bistro MBB Brasserie and Kings Head, with executive head chef Ethan Rodgers set to take the reins.

For more information and to enter the competition, which is now live and will run until the government announces the end of lockdown, visit bit.ly/3boiH9qto purchase your £5 raffle tickets.