Hotel Director goes cycling for charity

Guido De Wilde, Vice President, Regional Director of Starwood Hotels and Resorts in the Middle East, will participate in a cross-country cycling trip in Europe in September to raise $100,000 to support education and other programs for homeless children.

Guido, who began his career with Starwood in 1983, has been likened to the famous Godot, from Samuel Beckett’s play, Waiting for Godot. However, no-one will be waiting for Guido as he has already begun his charity drive to reach to the deprived and impoverished children of the world.

Age has not been a hindrance for 50-year-old Guido, who developed the initiative in addition to his challenging role of managing and leading the development of Starwood’s brands in the Middle East.

Guido, who is Belgian and can communicate in seven languages, is based in the UAE. He began training for the European trip by taking a journey from Starwood’s award-winning East Coast property, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Al Fujairah.

His UAE trip encompassed more than 100km, travelling from Al Dhaid in Sharjah to the end point at Al Aqah.

“Age will never stop you if you are honestly seeking to help others and ease their pain, as the results of such a humanitarian deed will be of a great help to overcome the difficulties and fatigue associated with this noble journey,” said Guido.

In September 2009, Guido will participate in a 360 km bike race over three days, where he will climb seven mountain summits on the border between France and Spain.

Guido looks at this participation as a rejuvenation of his soul not only because it is just a form of sport but also because it is essentially associated with the concept of CSR. “My participation was organized through my company, which launched a non-profit initiative with the aim to further strengthen and enhance UNICEF’s programs for the unprivileged children of the world.”

For more information, visit lemeridien.com.