The Box Appeal, a month-long annual charity appeal organized by the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has launched this year’s campaign.

In its 10th year The Box Appeal is an initiative that collects boxes of essential everyday items that are then given to labourers. This year the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group aims to collect over 20,000 boxes through its Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson Hotels in the UAE.

What started as a small charity project by Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City in 2008 has now grown to be a major success story, and is now firmly established in the UAE, receiving support from prominent companies such as Coca Cola, Dance 97.8 FM, ITP Media Group, McLaren Group, Arcadis, Herbert Smith Freehills, Barakat and Accenture.

“We are delighted to launch this year’s Box Appeal and pleased to see this great initiative grow from strength to strength every year. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is recognised as a trusted responsible hotel business and caring for people and the community is an integral part of how we do business. We are proud that the Box Appeal campaign has made a difference to over 120,000 people since its inception” said Mark Willis, area senior vice president, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

The Box Appeal campaign runs from September 15 to October 15. For people looking to participate in the campaign, boxes may be collected from any Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotel in the UAE. Twelve mandatory items should be added; a t-shirt, cap, disposable razor, shaving cream, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand towels, comb, anti-bacterial soap, shampoo and talcum powder. Boxes should then be returned to any of the Radisson Blu or Park Inn by Radisson hotels in the UAE or the Dance FM studios in Dubai Media City.

“This is our way of celebrating the unsung heroes of our community — the many labourers, who have helped build these amazing infrastructures around us. We are aiming to make it a record breaking year with the support of our partners, sponsors and of course the local community. The Box Appeal is very easy to participate in. We hand out boxes with a list of items that people just need to buy and put inside the box, before dropping off at any of our hotels or the Dance FM studios. There has been an overwhelming response from hotel guests, schools and the general public who are looking to help. I encourage as many people as possible to support this fantastic initiative” said Aldert van Zyl, regional responsible business coordinator Middle East, Rezidor Hotel Group. - TradeArabia News Service