Marriott Hotels reunites rugby star with family in an emotional surprise encounter
25 March, 2015 – England star Brad Barritt was reunited with his family after Marriott Hotels organised a surprise reunion at Twickenham on Saturday 21 March. Barritt met his mother and sister after months apart at the RBS 6 Nations match with France after they were flown to London from South Africa.
Barritt’s mother, Julie Barritt commented: “To be flown over to the UK from Durban to see my son has been absolutely wonderful – thank you Marriott Hotels! We’re incredibly proud of Brad and all that he’s achieved but of course we miss him since he left South Africa to pursue his dream. It’s a huge shame that Brad wasnt able to play in the match because of his injury, but I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to support his team mates with him at Twickenham.”
It had been months since Barritt had seen his mother and sister, with whom he holds a very close relationship, but Marriott Hotels made it happen as part of its #ReuniteMeWith campaign, which brings home expat rugby fans to reunite with family at Twickenham so they can support England together.
Barritt always dreamt of following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who played rugby for English Universities, and his dream was to one day become a full international player. He recalls that one of his earliest memories was being taken by his grandfather to watch rugby at Twickenham and during his early years in South Africa, playing rugby for England was always a goal Barritt aspired to. “My parents are Rhodesian, but they moved to South Africa the year before I was born.
I have strong English roots and a lot of my extended family, aunts and uncles live in England.” Said Barritt, who won his first England cap in 2012 and has been a mainstay of the squad ever since.
As a sponsor of England Rugby, Marriott Hotels is offering four expat rugby fans the chance to reunite with friends and family to support the England rugby team through a new nomination campaign, #ReuniteMeWith.
England rugby fans living abroad can be nominated by friends and family to return to England to support the team at key matches. All nominations are posted on TravelBrilliantly.co.uk/Reunite through a short video submission. The entries, which will be reviewed by a panel of judges, must show why a reunion is so important with the most deserving winning one of four prizes. One prize has already been won for the recent England v France match at the RBS 6 Nations, three further prizes of two tickets will be on offer for Marriott London Sevens weekend on 16 and 17 May, QBE Internationals in September and another major rugby match in October. Each prize also includes one return flight home and four nights’ accommodation in a Marriott hotel including dinner and spending money.
