Pubs back bid to raise cash to help homeless

PUBS have thrown their weight behind Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Mayor’s mission to build the first ever house for a charity that supports young homeless people.

Collection tins are now in place at the Lord Nelson in Ansley and the Blue Boar in Mancetter in aid of the first citizen, councillor Chris Watkins’ appeal for Doorway .

The Sperrin family, who run the pubs and the well-known brewery, are the latest business to back the ambitious appeal.

Offers of support have flooded in for the borough’s recently elected mayor, including Landlocked events company, which is hosting a two day summer festival at Nuneaton Rugby Club on Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16.

Cash raised from the two-day Gathering 2018 event will be split between the Civic appeal and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, based on the outskirts of Bedworth.

There will be everything from live entertainment on two stages, children’s entertainment, bouncy castles, slides, hot and cold food, outside bars and a variety of acts from The Speech to FootwrX Dance Academy.

As previously reported, the mayor said he aimed to build Doorway’s first ever home in what is a special year for both himself and the good cause.

He said that it could not come at a more poignant time: “It is 21 years of Doorway, 21 is the key to the door, what we are aiming to do is to build Doorway’s first property.

“But this is not just about building a house, it is about raising awareness of Doorway and the work that they do.

“This is for Nuneaton and Bedworth, some people have not heard about Doorway and what they do there, it is about raising awareness to those who might be struggling or might need advice, that they are there.

Carol Gallagher, chief executive of Doorway, which is based in Dugdale Street, said she was delighted about being the beneficiary of the civic appeal - and potentially seeing a dream to own a property come true.