To celebrate the official opening of The Triumph Bar, the Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire held a prestigious charity event to raise funds for the Matt Gadsby Memorial Fund.

Matt Gadsby was a fit young man and an accomplished professional footballer playing in defence for Hinckley United Football Club.  He was just 27 and married with a young child when he died of a previously undetected heart condition on the pitch in September 2006 playing the sport he loved.

The charity auction saw items including Triumph silver diamante cut mens watch and other Triumph memorabilia, Superbike Championship tickets and weekend breaks at Paramount Hotels, go under the hammer raising £3,200.  Among those at the event were Matt’s father, Andy Gadsby; Charles Prew, Chief Executive of Paramount Hotels; Bruno Tagliaferri, UK Sales and Marketing Manager, Triumph; Martin Traynor OBE, Group Managing Director, Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce; Paul Young, International Triumph Rider and Andrew Wing, Coventry City FC.

The area of Hinckley is of course synonymous with British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph.  Even after 100 years, this privately owned company still designs, develops and builds motorbikes at the Hinckley plant. The Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel celebrates this iconic connection with the stunning new Triumph Bar.  To really rev things up, a spectacular black and white Triumph Speed Triple motorbike hangs over the bar in pride of place. 

Paul Harnedy, executive general manager, Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel, said; ‘We were immensely pleased to be able to bring together two local businesses, Triumph Motorcycles and Paramount Hotels, in this way and at the same time raise money in memory of Matt, a well respected local sports personality and family man.  There has been significant investment in the hotel and we look forward to welcoming guests from local area & beyond to experience the hospitality at the hotel whether they are staying, dining with us, or coming in for a drink.”

The Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel was the winner of the Leicestershire Business Award 2006 and has benefited from a £6 million refurbishment.   With 362 bedrooms and 24 meeting rooms as well as the dazzling new Triumph Bar and the attractive Piazza Bar and Terrace, it is one of Leicestershire’s premier venues for both business and leisure stays.