CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, in association with PubAid, has launched ‘Pubs & Charity’ month and announced new research that shows British pubs raised more than £106 million in the last year for different charities. This is an average of £2,742 per pub.
In a study conducted by CGA on behalf of CAMRA and PubAid, results showed that 85% of pubs were actively raising money for charity and despite tough economic times, funds raised annually by pubs had increased by nearly 5% since 2010.
CAMRA’s ‘Pubs & Charity’ campaign
The campaign encourages pubs to organise charity events throughout July and promote the amazing work they do to the media and their communities. Pubs sometimes get unfairly blamed for anti-social behaviour in villages, towns and cities and this campaign aims to help raise the profile of the British pub.
Charity events attract customers
In a separate independent survey commissioned for CAMRA and PubAid by TNS, research showed that more people would use their local pubs if more charity events were organised. 21% of all adults agreed with this statement but it was an amazing 32% of young adults aged 18-24 who said they would use their local more regularly if more events supported charities.
CAMRA has issued around 7,000 free promotional packs to pubs to help them advertise what they have planned for July. This campaign will not only benefit charities but also encourage more people to support their community pubs, which is important at a time when 26 pubs are closing every week.
Positive contribution of pubs to society
Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive said, “CAMRA and PubAid feel it is time British pubs got the recognition for the amazing funds they raise for numerous charities across Britain. Pubs can get unfairly blamed for a lot of anti-social behaviour but often the alcohol that has led to these problems has not been drunk in pubs.”
Des O’Flanagan, one of the co-founders of PubAid (www.pubaid.com) added, “The PubAid team is dedicated to combatting the areas of the press and perception from some corners that view pubs as only having a negative contribution to society. We do this by sharing the work that pubs do for charitable causes. The contribution of licensees and their customers is made even more amazing if you consider the financial pressure licensees and consumers are under at the moment”.
Examples of what British pubs are doing
JD Wetherspoon, which has a pub estate of over 850 pubs, has recently announced they have now raised a staggering £7 million over the years for CLIC Sargent.
Lorraine Clifton, Chief Executive of CLIC Sargent said, “This is a towering achievement by J D Wetherspoon and it means everything to the children and young people and their families whom we look after. Every penny raised means we can help more children and young people and their families coping with cancer. That is priceless.”
The Ship Victory, Chester, CH1 3EQ
This pub has raised more than a staggering £105,000 for the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The landlady’s husband’s daughter unfortunately died of Breast Cancer and their ‘little pub with a big heart’ is still raising money for this important charity 11 years on.
Hare & Hounds, Crowton, Cheshire, CW8 2RN
The Hare & Hounds in the Cheshire village of Crowton (population just 400) puts on an annual plastic duck race and family fun day on Easter Monday each year. This year £3,500 was raised for the Halton Hospice. The winner of the duck race this year was just 2 years, 11 months and 3 weeks old – winning the golden plastic duck and a kilo chocolate egg that was nearly as big as him!
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