Race night odds on to help cause

Hospice gets £1k boost

CUSTOMERS and bar workers at a Ruislip pub raised more than £1,000 in a night for a cause close to their hearts.

Siobhan Rowlands, barmaid at The Woodman, wanted to raise the funds for Shooting Star Chase children’s hospice, because of the care it has provided her 23-month-old daughter Lexi.

Lexi suffered severe brain damage during birth, which means she cannot move her body and also has epilepsy. She needs 24hour monitoring, even when she is asleep.

“Shooting Star is the only respite from care that we get as parents,” Siobhan said.

“And Lexi loves going there. It is such a nice place and it makes her really happy to be there.

“We were in hospital for six months, and we had to have all the training to be able to look after her before we came home.

“Without Shooting Star we would never get a break.”

With the support of landlords Teresa Juniper and Chris Osborn, she set up a race night at the pub, in Breakspear Road, Ruislip.

The packed-out race night raised double the amount the owners expected, pulling in an impressive £1,325 for the charity.

“For a small pub it was a huge amount to raise and a brilliant night – all of our customers commented on what a great event it was,” Teresa said.

Shooting Star Chase volunteer Paula Eaton, who lives in Ickenham, said: “Every child that we look after at the hospice costs us £15,000 a year.”