In a world dominated by the doom and gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that is prevailing in these uncertain times, is kindness. Nearly half (46%) of Britons report, that they have become kinder in order to help restore faith in humanity.

Fifty four per cent (54%) of adults would even go as far as rating themselves 'seven out of ten' on the 'kindness barometer' which measures their kind-heartedness in their daily actions. In addition, 48% of Britons has pledged to give at least one random act of kindness each day. These findings have been revealed in a new kindness study out today to mark Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Over a third (34%) of Britons believes random acts of kindness are contagious and a quarter (25%) of adults in 2020, have been inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to become a more giving and kind person.

The study conducted by Travelodge surveyed 2,000 British adults to gain an in-depth view of Britons views of random acts of kindness. Every day the company's 563 hotel teams across the UK go the extra mile and perform random acts of kindness for their guests and within their local communities.

Recent examples include: the hotel manager at Milton Keynes Central Travelodge, Dawn Knighthelping a homeless guest called Sandra Vaz with a new start in life as a Travelodge Receptionist. At the start of 2020, Sandra lost her job as a coffee shop manager and her relationship ended - these factors created a domino effect in Sandra's life which resulted in her sleeping in her car for three months. Sandra was all alone and in May her local council provided temporary accommodation at Milton Keynes Central Travelodge.

The hotel team welcomed Sandra and made her feel comfortable and helped her with basic essentials. Sandra's confidence grew due to the kindness shown by the hotel team and Dawn the hotel manager saw huge potential in Sandra and helped set up an interview for a reception role in a nearby Travelodge hotel. Sandra got the role and used her first pay check to secure rented accommodation. Dawn's act of kindness has helped Sandra secure a future and an opportunity to climb the career ladder at Travelodge into a management position.

Sophie Owen, hotel manager at Warrington Central Travelodge rallied her team and local colleagues a few weeks ago to provide urgent accommodation for 40 flood victim families - who had to evacuate their homes due to the damage caused by storm Christoph. The families are so grateful to Sophie and her team for their random act of kindness in their darkest hour.

The team at Birmingham Airport Travelodge, helped an elderly distressed couple from Australia who were in their 90's when they lost their phone and could not contact their family. A team member went out in her lunch break and purchased a pay as you go mobile phone and prepaid card and helped the couple trace their family contact numbers. The couple were speechless by the team's act of kindness and were eternally grateful to have a phone whilst they travelled back home.

Further research findings revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic 56% of Britons have experienced on average three acts of unexpected kindness from a stranger, and it is the simplest gestures that have touched us the most. This includes a stranger saying "Hello" whilst out walking. Being greeted with a smile and a "How are you today?" from a delivery driver and a lost forgotten friend getting in touch to see how you are doing. (See notes to editor for the top 20 list of acts of kindness that have touched Britons the most during the last 12 months)

The report also revealed that 42% of adults stated that that when a stranger does something nice unexpectedly it makes their day extra special and it encourages them to do something nice for someone too.

The study also asked Britons to nominate their 'Kindness Hero' - an individual who has inspired them due to their kindness actions, to be more thoughtful and kinder during the COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred year old, Captain Sir Tom Moore, a true hero who gave the nation hope during the pandemic and raised over £33 million for NHS charities secured first position as the nation's 'Kindness Hero'.

Footballer and philanthropist, Marcus Rashford MBE, takes second place in the 'Kindness Hero' poll for his campaigning to end child food poverty and make meals accessible for children during the lockdown and school holidays.

Six year old, Frank Mills stole the nation's heart wining third place in the 'Kindness Hero' awards. Frank who has Spina Bifida was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore and took on a personal challenge to walk 10 metres every day and raised over £280,000 for NHS charities.

Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Government took fourth in the nation's 'Kindness Hero' poll. Since March 2020, Chris Whitty has played a key role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The Body Coach, Joe Wicks MBE took fifth place in the nation's 'Kindness Hero' poll. Joe's fitness workouts during the lockdowns changed people's lives and encouraged children to exercise at home.

Detailed below are the nation's top 10 Kindness Heroes

  1. Captain Sir Tom Moore
  2. Marcus Rashford
  3. Frank Mills
  4. Chris Witty
  5. Joe Wicks
  6. Annemarie Plas
  7. David Attenborough
  8. Prince William & Duchess of Cambridge
  9. Rishi Sunak
  10. The Queen

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman said: "One key thing that we are experiencing across our hotels is that kindness is prevailing in these challenging and tumultuous times. Our research also shows that kindness is contagious and has been spreading far and wide across the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so proud of our 563 UK hotel teams that go the extra mile every day for their guests and for their local community. Their kindness is making a real difference to people's lives whether it is helping flood victims, making goody bags for NHS guests, helping a customer deliver a baby or helping a homeless person with a new start in life."

About Travelodge

Founded in 1985, Travelodge is Britain's very first budget hotel chain and today is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the UK, with a portfolio of over 600 hotels and over 47,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.

In Spain, Travelodge has an established profitable presence and as of April 2024, its portfolio doubled to 12 hotels, having recently acquired a further six properties. Travelodge has ambitious growth plans within this market and has identified the top 20 key locations where it would like to open additional hotels in Spain.

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually across the UK, Ireland and Spain, the majority of Travelodge hotels are located in major cities, towns and holiday hotspots as well as by airports and key business hubs. With 90% of its hotels rated 4* or above on TripAdvisor, Travelodge is proud to offer guests across its diverse customer base a good value experience – whether they are travelling for business or leisure. In 2023, approximately 50% of rooms were sold for less than £60.

Whether out celebrating a birthday, going to a concert or sporting event, visiting friends and family, taking a business trip, working away from home, or taking a short break, we help people to go and do their thing by Being the Brilliant Base.

Travelodge continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit programme which is expected to see 50% of the Travelodge room estate upgraded to its new design by the end of 2024. The brand is also continually evolving its quality offering to deliver a better experience for its diverse mix of business and leisure guests such as its new look Bar Cafe design, 85 Bar Café, which has been rolled out to selected UK hotels as part of the refit programme.

Travelodge is focussing on its environmental and social impact, with sustainability integral to its business strategy. It's Better Future sustainability plan aims to build a more sustainable future for its customers, colleagues and the planet, and it is underpinned by three core pillars: Inclusive – ensuring we are accessible, inclusive and well-priced to our customers and colleagues; Caring – creating a caring and healthy environment for our colleagues and customers and ensuring their wellbeing; and Conscious – Travelodge is conscious of its impact on the planet, taking into account the waste it produces, the energy and other resources it consumes and the carbon emissions it generates.

For further information visit travelodge.co.uk or the Travelodge Hotels Limited LinkedIn page.

The Travelodge Press Office
+44 1844 35 8703
Travelodge