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Guests staying at Hilton Worldwide hotels in Europe this winter will be using their small change to make a big difference to disadvantaged children as part of Hilton in the Community Foundation's annual fundraising campaign.

The Foundation's "Small Change, Big Difference" campaign will be running in 128 hotels in 17 European countries throughout October, November and December this year. The campaign invites guests staying at selected Hilton Worldwide hotels to add an optional £1 or €1 onto their room bill during their stay as a donation to the Foundation.

Simon Vincent, area president Europe, Hilton Worldwide and chairman of the foundation's trustees said, "This is a very worthwhile campaign and one that I hope our generous guests will support once again. By choosing to add an optional £1 or €1 we can help Hilton in the Community Foundation to ensure that disadvantaged children receive the support that they need. Working together your small change really can add up to make a real difference to children's lives."

This year the Foundation is also running the fundraiser in Continental Europe. As a result 54 hotels in 16 European countries will be joining the UK to help to increase the money raised for local causes.

All net proceeds raised from the campaign will be used to support disadvantaged children through Hilton in the Community Foundation's grants programme.

Funds raised by hotels in UK and Ireland will be distributed to charities who work with disadvantaged children through the Foundation's open application central grant process.

For continental Europe, each participating country will choose a local charity working with disadvantaged children to support with their fundraising, while The Foundation will then ensure that every net penny raised by the hotels is distributed to these organisations. These grants will then support a range of projects including the provision of specialist educational and sporting equipment, care facilities and training and activity based learning. Supported charities include hospices, specialist schools for disabled children and charities working with children in hospitals.

"Small Change, Big Difference" has now been running as a campaign since 2004, raising over £835,000 in total for children's charities including Teenage Cancer Trust, Children's Hospices UK, Barnardos and Save the Children.

About Hilton in the Community Foundation:
Hilton in the Community Foundation was founded in 2000 as Hilton Worldwide's charity dedicated to supporting young people in need. Focused on Education and Health, grants supporting disadvantaged young people are made in the UK and continental Europe, while in the event of international disaster grants are made to relief organisations at the Trustees' discretion.

The Foundation's core costs are funded by Hilton Worldwide, so every net pound raised goes directly to good causes. Donations are funded almost entirely through the generous efforts and contributions of Hilton team members, family and friends and with the support of Hilton guests and company suppliers. In 2009 £1,064,102 (€1,267,300) was raised with the Foundation awarding 326 grants to 251 charities.

Please visit our website: www.hilton-foundation.org.uk