11:55am Friday 27th August 2010
A RECEPTIONIST has spent two days working at a York animal sanctuary after being judged the most outstanding employee at a city centre hotel.
Rebecca Hardcastle overcame competition from 60 members of staff at the four-star Dean Court Hotel, in Duncombe Place, to win its Employee Of The Year title.
Rebecca, 21, of Boroughbridge Road, York, who has worked at the hotel for three years, was awarded the accolade after being hailed by customers and the Best Western branch’s heads of department.
She received a trophy, flowers and was offered two days’ paid leave to work for a charity of her choice.
Rebecca chose the RSPCA and has spent the time mucking out and working with the animals at the charity’s animals’ home in Landing Lane, Holgate.
She spent her two eight-hour volunteer days cleaning out enclosures for rats, gerbils, dogs and cats, exercising the animals and grooming them. Rebecca said: “I chose the RSPCA for my charity because I thought it needed the help.
“I enjoyed the work, but every time I saw a cute new cat or dog I would say ‘Oh, I want that one’.”
Angela Hunter, the RSPCA’s York district branch manager, said the charity “really appreciated” Rebecca’s help.
She said: “We always have a shortage of willing hands. People can check out volunteering opportunities on our website.
“We are already indebted to the Dean Court Hotel because it donates all its lost property to our charity shop. I think it is a great idea that their employee award is charity-based.”
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