Pub-goers' challenge to raise £10k in 3 months for cancer charity

STAFF and drinkers at a west Hull pub have set a challenge of raising £10,000 in just three months for a cancer charity.

The idea to raise the large amount of cash for Macmillan Cancer Support came while regulars were sitting round the table having a beer at The New Griffin in Anlaby Road.

Now, pub talk has turned to reality with a series of events organised over the coming weeks.

Richard Branton is one of the fundraising organisers.

He said: "My partner lost her mum to cancer last year and friend George Portes lost his wife to cancer, too.

"Several of us have lost some- one to the disease, which is something we have in common.

"We were just talking about charity work. I organised a charity night for the Echoes Foundation a couple of years ago and George has also done a lot of fundraising.

"We decided we should just crack on and get raising money.

"We have lots of events organised, so I think we can raise the total we have set ourselves.

"We have already had a lot of support from the public and we have a friend, Danny Slaughter, running the Humber Bridge Half Marathon and he already has £500 in sponsorship."

Mr Portes, a former GMB union convenor, is an experienced charity fundraiser.

He said: "After discussing it in the pub, we asked the owner if he could help out.

"Last year, we organised a 230-mile charity bike ride from Southport to Hull, which we will be doing again this year.

"We have already held a car boot sale and have a couple more planned, along with a race night and other events at the pub.

"Some guys are also getting their chests waxed."

New Griffin pub owner Paul Metcalfe is delighted to be involved in the charity fundraising drive.

He said: "Several pub regulars have lost loved ones to cancer, so we all felt this was worthwhile.

"We got involved in the spon- sored bike ride last year and wanted to do more this year.

"We are going to be holding plenty of events in the pub, including charity pool and darts events and a race night.

"We are also selling badges and we will be at St Stephen's shopping centre and Tesco in Beverley Road with collection buckets.

"All the staff are very enthusiastic and keen to get involved.

"We have also had a lot of help and support from Macmillan, which has helped with the paperwork and provided us with kits and the buckets."

Macmillan offers support for cancer patients, along with their carers, families and communities.

The charity funds nurses and builds cancer care centres.

Macmillan also provides practical support at home and financial help to cope with the extra costs cancer can bring.

Crystal Ness, fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "I was delighted to hear this group of friends from the New Griffin pub wanted to raise funds to support the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and overwhelmed when they told me how much they would like to raise.

"The £10,000 will make a huge difference to the lives of local people living with cancer.

"Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. As one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives, we all know someone who is affected.

"We rely on our supporters and fundraisers for 97 per cent of our income and deliver our services at the heart of local communities.

"The Griffin fundraising group will be helping Macmillan Cancer Support achieve its ambition of reaching everyone living with cancer."