Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has hailed the success of its fundraising campaign for its 2023 designated charity, the Koma Karanth Foundation.
As reported, Diageo Global Travel hosted the group’s annual networking and major fundraising event – along with co-sponsors Victoria’s Secret and Tumi – at last week’s TFWA World Conference & Exhibition in Cannes.
“Our goal was to reach €15,000 and to raise over double that is mind-blowing” – WiTR+ Chair Sarah Branquinho
During the evening, WiTR+ announced it had raised a “monumental” €34,000 for the Koma Karanth Foundation. That is over double its initial target and enough to build and furnish five houses in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, an impoverished community in the Philippines.
The total, according to WiTR+, was significantly boosted by Victoria’s Secret representatives who presented Koma Karanth Foundation Founder Maitreyi Karanth with a cheque for US$12,000.
The Koma Karanth Foundation’s mission is to build a KOMA community in the Philippine municipality, providing homes, education, old age community centres, medical support and support for single women as they strive for self-sufficiency.
Speaking at the event, WiTR+ Chair Sarah Branquinho said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout at today’s networking session and with the industry’s generosity. Our goal was to reach €15,000 and to raise over double that is mind-blowing.
“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who donated, to Diageo for hosting, and to Tumi and Victoria’s Secret for co-sponsoring the event.”
Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan commented: “At Diageo we believe in championing inclusion and diversity, within our organisation and teams, through our brand campaigns and in partnership with our industry. I am delighted that we can support WITR+ and work alongside it to continue to build a community in travel retail that is reflective of our diverse and inclusive travelling consumer.” 
